#“my brother in raava” i do not believe in Raava

[mfelewzi]

I support some positions, but not all. And I love the idea of Mai as a teacher, but for what we know and Watch about her, nothing support the ideas about "more freedom" and the beginning of a deconstruction of old "Sozinist Narrative". What happened in the story could make Mai an apolitical and neutral, nothing more! I support Character Development, but this is too early: It would need an other Story BEFORE that, as She said to Zuko in Smoke and Weed/Shadow about "some time to know herself" (they're not the right words, but you have the idea).

So, I'm Sorry but your argumentations lack of many elements and a more deep and clear development of character. But I understand that for you, yes these critics would be correct but useless, cause It should need a Story that doesn't exist and the authors didn't think about It, and we have to accept what there is here and now.

And I support your position about Mai as a character (she's my second favourite female character of the show). And I continue to not find interesting this comic, so whatever.

Actually I WILL talk about Mai's seeming 'radicalisation'. With the upcoming comic, I can see why a lot of people are confused/caught offguard by Mai suddenly having a vested interest in reforming the Fire Nation's school curriculum.

However, I don't think it's as much of a heelturn as one would believe at first glance.

Mai is a difficult character to pinpoint on some levels, particularly due to her upbringing which stripped her of a lot of her self expression. I think most of the fandom underestimates the trauma and effect of Mai's upbringing. I elaborate on it here.

However, the long and short of it is that Mai was not encouraged to question, criticise or, god forbid, rebel against her enviornment. To the point where her parents scared her with stories of spirits that would kidnap her if she misbehaved.

Ukano's involvement in politics and relatively high status should also be taken into account. Mai would have grown up being strongly encouraged to conform to her father's beliefs and go along with his politics.

Mai : My mother said I had to keep out of trouble. We had my dad's political career to think about.

We've seen the propaganda and indoctrination of the Fire Nation school system, how it uses misinformation in its curriculum and how it punishes deviance.

Most fire nation children won't have the tools to find the cruelty and danger in the philosophy of the Fire Nation. Zuko had to get banished from the country to even start his deconstruction. And he had Iroh at his side to guide him.

It's not shocking that Mai would not be able to see the flaws of the Fire Nation. Despite this, she still shows no attachment to the Nation's cause, either. In fact, she actively refused to take part in the war effort when she thought she could get away with it.

I don't think Mai had much sympathy to the other nations, nor will I claim she secretly harboured anti imperialistic sentiment. I simply want to state the fact that Mai was, from a young age, forced to do things she didn't want to do and conditioned by multiple parties, to accept this. Mai has been trained to be passive, with only the method of passive aggressiveness and gloominess to defend herself.

I think after the fall of Ozai's rule and the slow restructuring of the Nation, Mai got more freedom in her life. Ukano's political role diminished, so Mai was allowed to think for herself. She gets to discover the world more and develop her own thoughts and ideals, rather than the ones she'd been forced to conform to.

This line in the upcoming comic seems to confirm my thoughts:

Mai's upbringing is the underground and darkness. She was never given an alternative or agency in her life. And thanks to Zuko, she was able to see and experience a different world than the one she was brought up with. She is able to help to try and achieve it.

Initially, Mai is angry at Zuko's joining of team Avatar. She feels betrayed and upset that he did not talk to her in person, even if it was to protect her. And yet, she saves him. While I believe that most of her motivation was genuinely out of love for Zuko. But she also, ekther inadvertently or deliberately made the choice between Azula and Zuko. Between the two potential duture leaders of the Nation.

And she chose Zuko. Who is not only the boy she loves, but also the boy who can heal her nation.

There is an argument to be made about how Mai represents the Fire Nation itself and its relationship to Zuko, but that is a topic for another day.

The theme of Mai caring for the future of the Fire Nation can be seen expanding in the comics. As 99% of the fandom will tell you, the comics have their flaws, but I do enjoy their handling of Mai for the most part.

I think it's interesting that we are shown that Mai not only wants Zuko to be Fire Lord, but for him to be a good Fire Lord.

We see her dissapointed in Zuko secretly meeting with Ozai. At first glance, what she says to Zuko is that she is dissapointed in him keeping secrets from her, which is understandable, since the last time he kept a secret from her led to him joining the opposite side of a war.

However, with her next appearance, we see that Mai may have had another concern relating to Zuko's communing with Ozai. When Ty Lee informs her of Zuko also enlisting Azula's help, Mai exclaims 'so he really is turning into his father', which seems to denote that Mai has a distaste for Ozai and his rule, whether that be from the begining, or recently acquired.

Mai also criticises Zuko's callous and controlling restrictions over the frightened townspeople. This serves to further cement the idea of Mai becoming disillusioned with the similarly inclined authority figures of her past. Authority figures who were a symptom of the Fire Nation's utilitarian and imperialistic system. We see this disdain manifesting in its full force in the teasers for the upcoming comic.

I think people tend to not realise how restricted in her self expression and thoughts Mai was, despite all the puzzle pieces being laid out for us in the show.

Mai has gone through a very quick and yet realistic episode of character growth in my opinion. Not unlike a lot of people raised in heavily Conservative and restrictive households who peel off later in life, she's settling into her own mindset and motivations.

Ans I don't think it's an unrealistic idea for Mai to want to help change the education system. The Fire Academy for girls is where she met Azula, and as an all girl school alumni, I can tell you first hand how toxic and confining these enviornments can be.

While Mai may not be seen as a particularly empathetic or kind person (though I think this interpretation is flawed), she can sympathise with the young girls who will be placed in the shoes of her younger self.

She can want to not see these kids go through what she, Ty Lee AND Azula did.

[The panels of Mai glancing between the stifling interior of the school and the open window and choosing to go outside and lead the Nation's youth outside... ugh]

Not only is this a rather logical progression for Mai's character, in my opinion, but it also feels like a very big 'healing your inner child' moment for Mai. Since she was not really seemingly allowed to be a child, as most children in the Fire Nation appeared to have such restrictions placed on them.

I don't think it's much of a stretch of the imagination that Mai would want to have at least a small part in dismantling the system that harmed her and so many other children of the nation.

She is a young woman now, she has grown from the oversheltered, apathetic teen she was in the show. She has been able to make her own informed opinions about the state of the nation, has been able to hone her trauma into determination. And it seems we're going to see the fruits of this development in "Ashes of the Academy".

I have very high hopes for the upcoming comic, since what we've seen of it appears to make a compelling story, one I relate to deeply, as well as a good study of Mai, a character I find often misinterpreted by the fandom.

[empressofthesunwriter]

Yin and Yang: Book 1.13

Balance is a key aspect in the world, so why shouldn’t the Avatar have an opposite?

In a world where Raava and Vaatu merge with humans, the Avatar and the Daimon try to keep the peace between the four nations.

Aang and Hua are the current incarnations, but wake up 100 years in the future.

How will these two learn all four elements in one year and defeat the Fire Lord?

Book 1.13: The Blue Spirit

Water. 

Earth. 

Fire. 

Air. 

Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. 

Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. 

Only the Avatar and Daimon, masters of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed them most, they vanished. 

A hundred years passed, and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar and Daimon, an airbender named Aang and an earthbender named Hua. 

And although his airbending and her earthbending skills are great they have a lot to learn before they’re ready to save anyone. 

But I believe Aang and Hua can save the world.

***

A pot with vegetable soup was sitting on the fire pit Hua made.

The Daimon stirred the soup and tasted it.

“Mmh, a bit more salt.”, she mumbled to herself.

She added the spice, as Katara called out to her: “How is the soup going, Hua?”

“Nearly done, Katara, how is our patient?”

Together they looked at poor sick Sokka. He was lying against Appa, coughing and sweaty, huddled in his sleeping bag. 

Thank the spirits they had found this old ruin to make camp or Sokka would suffer more.

At least here they were safe from the weather and it was cosy warm.

Katara pressed a wet rag onto Sokka's forehead.

“This should bring your fever down.”, she cooed at her brother.

Hua put the soup in a bowl and joined them.

“Here Sokka, something to eat. It will help you too.”

But the older boy was so delirious from his fever that he just said: “You know what I love about Appa the most? His sense of humour.”

“That's nice. I'll tell him.”, said Katara a bit amused.

Appa growls.

Sokka laughs. “Classic Appa.”

“Come Sokka, eat a bit of the soup.”, pleaded Hua and raised the spoon towards his mouth. “It will help.”

“I want meat soupy.”, he whined like a child.

The Daimon signed so Katara shovelled the soup down her brother's throat. 

At least he eats it like that.

That’s when Aang returns from his little scavenger trip.

“How's Sokka doing?”

“Not so good.”, tells Hua with crossed arms.

“Being out in that storm really did a number on him.”, adds Katara, shovelling the last bit of soup down his throat.

The sick Sokka gulps down his soup but starts sniffing pitifully.

“I couldn't find any ginger root for the tea, but I found a map.”, explained Aang, putting said map on the floor. “There's an herbalist institute on top of that mountain. We could probably find a cure for Sokka there.”

“Aang, he's in no condition for travel. Sokka just needs more rest. I'm sure he'll be better by tomorrow.”, says Katara, however suddenly she starts coughing too.

This alarms Hua and Aang.

“Not you, too!”, they shout together.

“Relax, it was just a little cough. I'm fi-”

She coughs again, this time with greater force, and lightly groans after.

“It’s like how Sokka started yesterday.”, reminds Hua. “Now look at him, he thinks he is an earthbender like me.”

“Take that, you rock!”

“See?!”, waves Hua to Sokka as flails his arms as if he is hitting something.

“A few more hours and you'll be talking nonsense, too. I'm going to go find some medicine.”, decides Aang. He grabs his glider and begins to head out just as a flash of lightning strikes. “Uh, maybe it's safer if I go on foot.”

The black-haired girl steps towards him and holds him by the shoulder.

“Wait a second Aang.”

“Mmh?”

Hua gives him a big hug, which makes both blush, as she whispers in his ear: “I take care of Sokka and Katara, you be careful. You will be all alone, the last we need is you getting captured by Prince Zuko or somebody else.”

Aang hugs her back, nodding.

“I promise.”

They let go of each other and with a last smile, Aang runs out of the ruin.

The girl signs, wondering why her stomach feels all flattery before she turns to the water tribe siblings.

“Don’t worry guys, I will take care of you.”, she promises.

From her friends came only pitiful groans.

A sweatdrop runs down Hua's forehead.

Well, better start caring for them.

So Hua helps Katara into her sleeping back and feeds her then with the soup.

Then she rotatory wipes away the sweat on her friends faces and entertains Sokka's hallucinations.

This goes on for a while, with wiping their face and giving them food and entertaining them, till Hua notes they are out of water.

“So thirsty.”, croaks Sokka.

“I know Sokka.”, coos Hua at him. “I will take a quick trip to the river and fill our water skins, okay?”

“Be careful”, coughs Katara, even sick she still worries for her.

“I promise, maybe Aang will be back then. He is taking his sweet time.”, grumbles Hua a bit.

She really hoped he was just taking his time and not something terrible happened to him.

With a sign, she slugs the water skins to herself, gets out of the ruin and earthbends an avalanche under her with it she surfes down to the river.

As she reaches the river and starts to fill the first water skin, she feels eyes on her.

Fast she twirles around and creates a whole of ice between her and the unknown danger.

“An arrow?”, she mumbles stupified.

More arrows struck the wall before two more landed in the same spot and sliced the arrows that came before it. 

The ice cracks and another set of arrows pin the green sleeves of her kimono top to a fallen tree in the water.

Before she can react a net is launched at her.

Scary Hua looks into the face of the archer who captures her.

Who are this?

And what are they gonna do to her?

***

As it turns out they cart her into a Fire Nation fortress and lock her up in a cell.

Hua was bound at her legs and arms with chains, barely able to move. 

Angrily she struggles against the chains.

Oh, whoever did this to her will pay?!

Her cell door opens and Commander Zhao enters with a smug look on his stupid face.

She growls at him.

“Feisty aren’t we?”, he musses and stands before her. “So this is the great Daimon. One of the two masters of all the elements. I don't know how you've managed to elude the Fire Nation for a hundred years, but your little game of hide and seek is over.”

“I will show you who is feisty!”, she growls back. “Untie me and I will make you pay for implying that I hide from cowards like you!”

“Uhh, no. Tell me, how is it to find yourself in a world where all your loved ones are dead?”

Anraged Hua shows him her teeth. How she wants to bite this asshole!

“Don't worry, you won't be killed. See, if you die you will just be reborn and the Fire Nation would have to start searching all over again. Even if you would be reborn in the Fire Nation. We simply don’t have time for this. So I'll keep you alive, but just barely.”

The arrogant asshole turns his back on her to step out of the cell, as Hua takes a deep breath and spits a fire stream after him.

Sadly he can bend it away.

“Nice little trick, who taught you this?”

“I learned it myself!”

Strangely Zhao laughs and the next words make Hua shiver all over. “You are indeed a feist one, the Avatar just attacked me with an airblast, but you…you were going for the kill.”

“Avatar…”, she repeats shocked. “You have Aang?!”

“We caught him before you. Sadly you won’t be seeing him, who knows what you two would do together.”

With a last arrogant smirk Zhao leaves, leaving a panicked Hua behind.

Oh no.

Oh no!

OH NO!

This was so bad you needed a new word for bad!

The Fire Nation had both of them.

Oh spirits!

Angry tears fall from Hua’s green eyes as she tries to free herself.

She needs to get out and find Aang!

How long she tries to free herself she can’t tell, only how out of nowhere she hears battle sounds.

Surprised she looks up and that’s when Aang steps into the room!

“Aang!”

“Hua!”

He runs up to her and hugs her the best he can.

“Did they hurt you?”, he asked worried, taking her face in his hands.

“No, No. Did you get hurt?”, she asked back, looking him up and down.

“No, I’m fine too.”

Both signs relieved, then Aang steps away, Hua misses his hands on her face, and a tall man in all black with a blue spirit mask steps towards her.

“Aang, who is this?!”, she asked scared.

“A friend. He released me.”, he explains. “He will do the same for you. Don’t get scared of his swords.”

Hua does haven’t the time as Blue (she will call him this in her head) takes out Duo-Swords and frees her from her bindings.

She thanked her saviour with a bow, and then she and Aang embraced each other again, happy the other was okay and that they were together again.

The Daimon can’t explain since when she craved so much Aang touch, she just knows she felt safe and happy in his arms.

“Yeah, you are right, we should go.”, says Aang to Blue, who had pointed at the cell door.

The Avatar and Daimon take each other hand and follow Blue through the fortress.

They managed to reach the innermost wall of the fortress, scaling it on a rope as they got spotted!

A soldier appears at the top of the wall they are climbing. He cuts the rope and the trio falls down the wall.

Thankful Aang airbends them to a soft landing. 

When the dust clears, the Blue Spirit unsheathes his swords and they run.

A wild prison breaks take place, where they have to fight and climb up the walls of the fortress.

Thanks that Hua was an earthbender, she just smashed holes into the walls, where they could escape.

They are nearing the last wall, however, four firebenders unleash their flame on them, but Aang and Hua put the masked man behind them and he airbends and she firebends the flames away.

“Hold your fire!”, commands Zhao. “The Avatar and Daimon must be captured alive!”

The Blue Spirit instantly comes up behind the two children and crosses his swords in front of their throats, surprising Aang and Hua.

A stand-off takes place, in which Zhao gives in and commands to open the gates.

The gate is opened and the Blue Spirit backs out with his captives, swords still at their throats.

The Blue Spirit continues backing away from the fortress. Zhao now looks on from the top of the main gate.

Then all happens fast.

Hua recognizes the archers who capture her and tries to warn Blue and Aang.

“Get down!”

Blue takes the swords from their troats and wants like them to drop down to the floor, but the arrow hits him in the shoulder!

With a pained groan, their silent ally falls down on the floor.

“No!”. scream Hua and Aang together.

Aang creates a huge dusty cloud as Hua checks for Blue.

“This is bad Aang.”, she tells him. “The arrow pierced his whole shoulder, if we don’t help him, he will bleed to death.”

“Alright, let’s take him with us!”

Hua grips Blue's arms and Aang his legs, together they airbend away from the scene.

***

Luck was on their side and they reached their campsite with Blue without any more problems.

Hua and Aang put Blue on Hua's sleeping back, as Katara called out to them: “Aang, Hua, where were you, who is this?”

She coughs pititful.

“Ah, I forgot the frogs, I will be back soon, okay!”, proclaims Aang and races out.

Hua deadpan after him.

“Sure, I will try alone to save the life of our saviour.”

She signs at gets to work.

As she collected the things she needed, she explained to Katara what happened. 

Thankful her best friend was lucid enough to understand, other than Sokka who said Blue was a Demon and here to eat his heart.

Sitting beside Blue, Hua checks their supplies. Bandages and some salves. Thankful she had one full water skin before she got captured so she could clean his wound.

Careful with her knife she opened his black shirt up where the arrow had gone through and checked it.

Okay, it seemed no bone was hit, this was good and the arrow had gone through nicely.

Alright, she could do it.

First, she slowly cleaned the wounds in front and in the back with water and put the antiinfection salve on it.

Then she cut the rest of the arrow with her knife away.

Only the little bit who looked out of his back remained.

Now she needed to carefully slip it out and pray he didn’t bleed to death.

Taking a deep breath she pulled the arrow out.

Blue screamed in pain.

Katara gasped.

Sokka shrieked about how the demon hoards would come for them.

And a blood fountain gushes out from Blue wounds.

OH NO!

Shit, shit, shit!

Hua let out some really creative curses, which made Katara even more gasp, as she tried to stop the bleeding with the bandages.

They get soaked in seconds.

She tries with water to wash it out and then bandaids over.

It bleeds and bleeds and bleeds!

“Oh come on please!”, she cried, holding her wet hand on the wound. “Stop please.”

Then something unexpected happened.

Her hand and the water started to glow blue and like a miracle closed the wound!

Unellegant Hua's chin meets the floor.

What happened?

What had she done?!

Whatever it was, it had probably saved Blue life.

***

“So let me get this straight you get captured by Zhao, Blue Mask over there saves you and you manage to get him wounded and then you bring him here without knowing who he is?!”

“Sokka, he saved mine and Aang's lives he can’t be bad.”

“I don’t trust masked vigilante! They always have something to hide.”

“What done is, is done. I’m with Hua and Aang. He can’t be that bad if he saved them.”

“Katara, you are too trusting.”

Zuko woke up to loud voices squabbling over him. 

He blinked behind his mask the black dots away and turned his head.

There were the Avatar and Daimon together with the two teens of the watertribe and their three animals.

The humans were sitting around a fire, eating something which looked and smelled like soup, which made him notice how hungry he was himself.

What should he do now?

His prizes were before him, but also a bison, a kyuubi, a waterbender and a guy with a club.

He couldn’t just snatch them up.

Also, his shoulder still hurt.

No, he had to analyse the sitation before he did something stupid.

“Ah, I think our guest woke up.”, said the water tribe girl and walked over to him. With a friendly smile, she kneeled beside him, offering him a bowl of soup. “I don’t know who you are, but you saved Aang and Hua. This makes you in my eyes a friend.”

The water tribe boy groaned behind her.

Zuko just said nothing.

He wasn’t used to people who treated him nicely, well besides his uncle.

So he better stay still.

“Not a talker are ya?”, giggled the girl. She put the bowl and a spoon beside him. “You have your reason to hide your face, so no one will look when you eat. Enjoy it.”

“I still think this is stupid.”, grumbled the water tribe boy.

“Sokka, people have a right to their privacy.”, scolded the water tribe girl.

With that, she stood up and joined her friends again.

Incredibly they really turned their backs on him and talked just with each other, even if he could see how the water tribe boy fought with turning around.

Slowly Zuko got an idea.

If they already trusted him for saving the Avatar and Daimon…maybe if he stayed a few days with them, and played their ally, they would leave him eventually alone with the two youngest and he could take them to his ship and then the Fire Nation.

Yes!

He could play a few days being nice, he just hoped his uncle wouldn’t worry so much.

Maybe he could send him a message?

Whatever one thing after another.

He ate the soup, which was after years on the sea with a cook with a bad temper, really tasty and enjoyable.

Soon, he would get his honour back.

He just had to be patient.

Previous

Next

[hotpinkrathian]

20 Years Ago Pt 1

(Kyalin)

Kya stood back with a grin. She did it. Despite her mother's doubts she had successfully pulled off the perfect highschool reunion. People were chatting, dancing and congratulating her.

"Well Kya, you did it." Her bother said, standing beside her with a glass of punch.

"Don't drink that," she said, "it's spiked."

"How do you even know that?" He asked  looking into the cup.

"Waterbenders intuition." She lied. Truthfully, she had been the one to spike it.

"Look," Tenzin said, gesturing to the door."

"Hmmm?" She turned her head, her brows furrowing.  Lin Beifong.

"What is she doing here?" Kya asked, she knew for a fact she didn't invite her.

"I asked her to come," Tenzin explained, "she doesn't get out a lot and well, I thought it'd be nice for you two to see each other." Kya rolled her eyes. She had no business with Lin, and the idea her brother thought otherwise was stupid.

"I have nothing to say to her." Kya stated, taking his cup and downing it.

"It seems like you do." Tenzin replied, letting his sister walk away.

Kya huffed, sitting down at her table, two cups of punch in her hands, both of which were for her. It seemed everyone here was having a good time, except her. She couldn't help it, Lin's prescence set her off.

"How am I supposed to enjoy myself when she's lurking around?" She spoke to herself, taking a drink from the left cup.

"Still talking to yourself, I see." Lin said, sitting next to her.

"Still condescending, I see." Kya mocked, finishing one of her drinks. Lin reached a hand over, grabbing the other one.

"Thats mine." Kya said. Lin raised an eyebrow, keeping eye contact with the older woman.

"Then take it." Kya looked at her quizzically, Lin had a sadistic grin on her face, like she was enjoying Kya's anger.

"No." Kya replied, "you have it. On me." Lin smirked, placing her lips to the cup and downing the whole thing  her face unraveling in a look of disgust.

"Thats so sweet." The metalbender groaned.

"Some people like sweet things." Kya retorted. Lin sighed, glancing to the stage.

"You know, we're kind of old to be doing this." Lin said.

"I think I know how long to hold a grudge." Kya replied, refusing to look her in the eyes.

"Raava, Kya do you even remember what you hate me for?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do."

"Then enlighten me."

"It was my senior year, you promised to come with me to prom, we had it planned and everything.  Then someone started dating my brother and ditched me to give a blow job behind the bleachers. I had no other friends Lin, everyone hated me for... well, you know, and you just... you left me alone. To be ridiculed by my entire grade. I had to leave out the back door because by the end of the night I was covered in punch and didn't want to be seen by the cameras."

"Okay, wow. First of all, it wasn't a blow job." Lin started, "second of all, I didn't mean to leave you. I just didn't know how long it would take."

"Oh my God, Lin, do you not hear yourself?" Kya asked, "you left me alone on my night to fuck my brother. Dick move, by the way."

"I wasnt fucking your brother!"

"Right so he let everyone believe that you and him fucked for the rest of the year?"

"Yes!"

"Really? You think I'm that stupid?"

"Kya, ask Tenzin. We didn't do anything that night, I didn't have the guts too. I never intended for he and I to do anything but he got ahead of himself and told all his friends so I told him not to worry about it." Kya looked away in disbelief.

"If that was true, why didn't you tell me?"

"I tried, you were so upset and 'banned me from the island. I asked that idiot arrowhead to talk to you but I guess he never did." Kya stared at her, unsure of what to make of this. Lin had lied before, but she seemed so sincere... stop. Remember how you felt.

"I'm not listening to this. I have a speech to give." Lin slammed a fist on the table and let Kya go. The watsrbender made her way to the stage, motioning for the crows to gather.

"I just want to say how happy I am everyone could make it today." She began, "it's been a long time since we've seen each other and I have to say I'm absolutely thrilled with the people you have all become."

"I'd like to say something!" Kya looked down at the speaker, he had a hat on, a jersey for some pro bending team and awfully greasy shorts. Roy Cavanaugh. The idiot who had splattered her with punch on prom night.

"Well I'm not really-"

"Roy! Roy! Roy!" The crowd chanted.

"Fine," Kya caved, "come here." He climbed onto the stage, taking the mic from her and holding it a little to close to his mouth.

"Can I just say," he started, "had I known you were gonna look like that when you were older I would've been nicer to you." Kya pursed her lips.

"Thats enough-"

"With that being said, are you still a dyke? Because I'd like to show you my-" Kya took the mic from him, staring at him angrily. Laughter mixed with awkward silence. She stared into the crowd, their familiar beady eyes focusing on her. Passing their judgment and she realized then and there she didn't want this reunion to see people, she wanted closure.

"Roy," she said, "you're an idiot. You always will be. Maru," she directed to his wife, "he cheated on you. Multiple times with Christine. Blonde hair, two girls down. Yeah that one." Roy looked at her, his eyes begging her to stop.

"Also," she said, "we all know it was you who shit on the floor during gym class. Everyone did. Just some of us were decent enough human beings to spare you that guilt. Now get out of my party." He jumped off the stage, his friends no longer sticking beside him, his wife ignoring his call.

"Oh to answer your question," Kya called before he left, "I am still a dyke. And that's not going to change for any of you." She smiled, satisfied with herself. She caught a glimpse of Lin who had a look on her face that resembled a smile. She dropped the mic, marching down the stage steps with gusto when she fell backward and collided with the steps.

"Kya. Kya. Kya, wake up." Kya's eyes batted open, pushing past the pulsing sensation in her head.

"Where am I?"

"The school gym."

"Why?"

"You slipped. Hit your head pretty bad." Lin said, pushing her down when she tried to sit up.

"Wheres Tenzin?"

"Jinora got sick, he went home. He sat here with you though, for an hour."

"How long was I out?"

"Three hours."

"Three hours?!" Kya tried to sit up, but her head refused her.

"Stop moving so much, just lay on this." Lin took off her coat, bundling it up and placing it under her head.

"Where is everyone" Kya asked.

"They went home. After your speech and... trip, I guess they decided they didn't deserve to be here." Kya snorted, taking the water Lin offered her and holding the freezing ice to her head.

"That works too," Lin said, moving beside her.

"Why did you stay?" Kya asked, moving her eyes to Lin.

"I am a police officer, it wouldn't look good if I left an injured person here."

"Oh." Kya said, trying not to sound disappointed.

"But also... I wasn't done talking earlier."

"You? Lin Beifong had more to say. I'll be damned." Lin laughed slightly before taking a deep inhale.

"I'm sorry, for everything." She said, "what I did to you that night, it wasnt fair." Kya smiled  reaching her free hand to Lin's and holding her leg.

"Can I be completely honest with you?" Kya inquired.

"Of course."

"I think I over reacted, just a bit."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, now shush. I... I had feelings for you, back then." Kya admitted. She felt herself blush, and immediately regretted everything she had said.

"Kya, I know you won't forget that night and the trauma it caused you, but you shouldn't know I never meant to hurt you. I didn't go because I was scared. I made these other plans because I didn't want people to see me with you and-"

"You were embarrassed of me?"

"What? No, God no... Kya I didn't want people to see me with you and talk because I knew that if we danced, or shared a drink, I'd have to confront the part of myself that liked you, too. And if that was true then what other rumors were?" Kya looked at Lin in disbelief. All this time, all this hatred she had kept for Lin when the true enemy was fear. She pushed herself up, leaning against the wall and putting the ice next to her.

"Lin," she spoke softly," I'm sorry. You shouldn't have had to feel that way. If I pressured you or-" before she could finish, Lin's lips met hers. She was taken aback by how soft Lin's lips her. The Beifong kissed with so much emphasis and emotion Kya had to pull away for a moment.

"Lin..." she whispered, "you have no idea how many times I thought of this moment."

"I think I do," Lin replied, "I thought of it everyday for the last 20 years." Kya grinned, pressing her forhead against Lin's before wincing in pain.

"You're in pain." Lin said, pulling away.

"No I'm fine just a little headache." She winced again and Lin moved to her knees, standing up and offering her hand.

"Come on." Lin said.

"This unnecessary really Lin-"

"You can't stand, can you?" Kya shook her head.  Lin side, bending down and reaching one hand under her shoulders and the other under her hips. She pushed, taking Kya in her arms with a grunt.  Kya blushed when Lin met her gaze, doing her best to keep her head up.

"Are you going to carry me all the way back to the island?" Kya asked.

"Maybe. I was going to put you in the back seat of my satomobile."

"That works." Kya replied. Lin carried the Waterbender out of the highschool gym, Kya stifled a chuckle at the disaster her party had turned into. At least she'd missed most of it.

Kya had fallen asleep on the drive over to the docks, waking up briefly to get on the ferry before passing out again on the railing. Lin must've carried her all the way to the temple because when she finally came too, she was on the couch in her childhood home.

"Well, she might not remember that part." Kya blinked her eyes open, seeing her mother and Lin sharing tea over the coffee table.

"Good morning." Katara said, getting up and putting a hand to her daughters head.

"What time is it?"

"Six."

"In the morning?" Kya exclaimed. As if on cue Lin opened the blinds, revealing the sun as it peaked over the horizon.

"Lin caught me up, dear," Katara said, "you had a minor concussion, nothing I couldn't fix. But please take it easy okay?"

"Yeah, thanks, Mom." Kya pushed herself up, accepting the cup of tea Lin handed her.

"So, how big of a fool did I make of myself?" Kya asked, rubbing her eyes.

"Eh, I've seen worse. If they didn't remember you before, they do now." Kya sighed, taking a sip of the tea.

"Well it is what it is." She whispered. They sat in silence for a moment before Lin stood up.

"Where are you going?" Kya asked, motioning to follow her.

"Relax," Lin said, pushing her back onto the sofa, "I'm just going to bathroom."

"Oh."

"Was the whole night not enough time to catch up?" Lin asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well no, I was passed out for most of it." Lin chuckled slightly and Kya blushed again.

"Then I'll be right back."

"Okay." Kya watched her go with a longing look in her eye. She looked back to her mother who shook her head with a dumb grin.

"Oh stop." Kya scolded.

"I didn't say anything."

"You didn't have to."

"She stayed awake the whole night you know." Katara said.

"That doesn't mean anything."

"Whatever you say, dear." Kya pursed her lips, looking back in the direction Lin had disappeared to.

Well shit.

[vortexbeyondthestars]

decided to post some of my ideas for a ninjago/atla au besties. tell me whatcha think

under read more cus its kinda long lmao

some background first…

here, the first spinjitzu master is smth that doesn’t actually exist in avatar bc i couldn’t for the life of me figure out what to make him so now he’s like… he’s basically the child of all the original benders: the badgermoles, the sky bison, the dragons, and the moon spirit combined. he was born of their powers, and he was the first avatar, kinda like this au’s version of raava i guess?? so this au’s version of vaatu is the overlord, and like in ninjago, they have this never-ending rivalry. and the overlord is an avatar, too, but more of a dark one. it only cares about corruption and evil.

the first bending master, as he’s called in this au, manages to banish the overlord into the spirit realm, but he knew that one day, it would return. so he creates a land called ninjago and fills it with people of all kinds, each corner of the world having one type of bending. he gave the humans bending, but only one type for each person.

he didn’t want a repeat of the overlord.

so then he has two sons: wu and garmadon. he hemmed and hawed over what elements to give to them, but eventually he chose. wu gets airbending, the element of life and serene and calm. garmadon gets firebending, rough and harsh and the element of destruction. his fire is violet and incredibly hot.

everything goes fine, and the first bending master manages to keep balance of the world as its avatar. except the overlord does indeed return.

garmadon gets corrupted by its spirit and is bitten by the great devourer. he becomes obsessed with power and wanted to be the avatar more than anything in life. he believes that his father was holding his powers back because he didn’t trust him. and he believes that his father was going to hand over his power to wu after he died. and he couldn’t have that.

wu notices his downward spiral and suggests that he take a trip to visit the mortals. maybe that would help him realize that there is reason for their father being the only avatar in the world.

so garmadon goes down into the mortal plane. and meets fire lord chen and his second in command clouse.

fire lord chen is quite interested in an old legend of what is called the serpentine: ancient tribes of snake people said to have been born from the hatred and despair of the overlord, led by the toughest and the greatest, the great devourer. chen wants to bring these serpentine back, and at first garmadon agrees to help him, if only to get revenge on his father.

but he snaps out of it, because he realizes that its the great devourer’s fault in the first place that he’s like this. he betrays chen and clouse and warns wu of their plan, but without telling him whose plan it is. together, the brothers manage to gather together an alliance of the greatest bending masters in the world. garmadon wants their father to help, but wu gives some unfortunate news.

the first bending master is near his deathbed. he is very, very ill, and he is thousands of years old at this point. he wants rest.

so, naturally, garmadon is conflicted about this. he’s ecstatic bc he thinks that he can gain the powers of the avatar once his father passes, but also he’s sad, because, well, thats still his dad after all.

but anyway, the bending alliance manages to defeat the serpentine and seal them away in the spirit realm, like the first bending master had done to the overlord. this… turns out to be a bad idea.

fire lord chen and clouse both manage to shift the blame away from them, and since garmy was the only one who knew they caused the plan, he lets it happen. because he still is a bit evil.

something happens that gives him hope, though: he meets misako, who might be the love of his life. (also in this au that weird love triangle shit don’t happen) they get married, and for a while, garmadon seems perfectly sane. but.

the first bending master dies.

lloyd is born almost right after.

no one makes the connection, though, thankfully, but it is enough for garmadon to lose whatever sanity he had left. he completely goes insane.

he races back to their family monastery believing that he can and will gain the powers of the avatar, somehow, but he doesn’t. and that is too much for him to take. all of this… all of this… waiting… for nothing?

garmadon stares at himself in the mirror. he looks down at his hand, at the bite mark blemishing his skin, and grabs a ceremonial knife. he laughs to himself and places his hand on the mirror, slowly raising his knife towards it… he thinks he can stop all this pain in one easy swoop.

garmadon, sneering at himself: maybe… maybe this will fix it… if i just cut off the damn thing…

first bending master, in the mirror: i would not recommend it, son.

garmadon, face falling: why are you here?

first bending master: i came to speak with you. and to try and help you.

garmadon, snarling: don’t pretend like you care about me! i know what you really think. you think i’m a monster.

first bending master: i think you’re conflicted. the part of you that wants to be the avatar so badly you are willing to kill for it… that part of you clashes with the real you. the one that wants everyone you care about to be safe. your brother, your friends, your wife… your son.

garmadon: *laughs and turns around* why should i care about them, father? they don’t care about me! not my brother, not my wife, not my so-called friends, and certainly not you! the only one who does care about me is my son, and thats only because he doesn’t know any better. he’ll leave one day too.

first bending master, solemnly: you are wrong. i do care about you. i always did. i love you, garmadon. i do.

garmadon shakes, his hand gripping the knife tighter. his mouths trembles, and eventually turns into a scowl. he whirls around to face the mirror and slams his knife into it, shattering it into pieces.

he gets worse from there on. he begins to attack people left and right, villages and cities, even going so far as to consider breaking the serpentine free. he doesn’t get that far, though, because his brother interrupts him.

wu is very concerned, bc, well, garmy was a bit weird but never straight up insane like he is now. so he heads over to his family’s old monastery. there, he finds garmadon, seething and stewing. garmadon doesn’t take his arrival well.

garmadon: ugh! for once, can’t you just leave me alone?!

wu: no, i cannot. this isn’t you, brother! you must snap out of it!

garmadon: this is me! this has been me for my entire life, wu! i can’t change it now, and i can’t even be the avatar. what’s the point?

wu: the point is that father trusted us to take care of ninjago once he passed on. we have a duty.

garmadon: father was a fool, and father was selfish! i am remaking the world in my own image, an image that won’t let anyone have the kind of power that he did, except for those who are worthy!

wu: that’s crazy! you can’t just pick and choose who gets to be the most powerful bender in the world!

garmadon: isn’t that what father did, though, when he died? who is the new avatar, wu?! tell me!!

wu: i don’t know. and neither will you, if you keep this up.

garmadon: *laughs* are you threatening me?

wu: i am.

garmadon: fine. you want to take control of ninjago over me? fine. fine. fine. i challenge you to an agni kai! the battle that was always meant to be.

wu: very well.

garmadon: for the record… i’m sorry it had to end this way, brother.

wu, sadly: no. you aren’t.

cue final agni kai type fight, light vs darkness. fire vs air. obviously, wu wins, and manages to chain garmadon up so he can’t attack anymore. garmadon then has a complete psychotic breakdown like azula, complete with the spitting fire and sobbing hysterically while wu watches sadly.

wu banishes garmadon to the spirit realm, because he doesn’t think there’s anything else he can do.

ninjago is saved.

or so he thinks.

see, chen and clouse are still around. as are the serpentine, biding their time in the spirit realm. they meet garmy and decide that they should work together. garmadon, so torn up by hatred and despair, agrees to help them, if he gets to destroy his brother.

meanwhile, everything is going good.

lloyd is the avatar, obviously, but he’s only like. thirteen when he finds out. he’s an airbender avatar and lived with koko (bc its my au and i get to pick the mom i use) in one of the air temples (idk which one tho). he’s raised believing that he’s just a random kid who happens to serve the avatar, kinda like kyoshi.

that avatar he believes he serves is none other than morro, the adopted son of airbender sage wu. morro is four years older than lloyd, and he was just revealed to be the airbending avatar. morro, of course, is thrilled. but he also gets an incredibly big ego over it, believing that he is better than other people bc he is the avatar. the reason he was thought to be the avatar was because he appeared to waterbend at one point, but it is later revealed to have been simple airbending that pushed the water.

but morro doesn’t realize or know this until its too late. and when he does… its a shitshow.

basically, lloyd and morro are sent to meet with fire lord chen and his daughter skylor, along with wu, koko, and some of the other air sages. skylor is a chi blocker, an incredibly talented one who has mastered all of the different bending fighting styles even tho she herself is a nonbender.

ok so clouse is obviously there. he recognizes lloyd via koko and is fucking pissed. he’s like my ex-boyfriend rival’s son is here?? what the hell?? so he keeps a close on eye on lloyd bc he doesn’t like him. morro, meanwhile, is treated like a king at the palace bc chen wants to get into the avatar’s good graces.

and uh. well, as it turns out, morro isn’t the avatar…

they’re attacked by the serpentine, bitter at the bending masters for having locked them underground. morro is excellent at fighting, but lloyd has more adrenaline.

and lloyd firebends.

cue shock and horror and anger from all sides.

wu is the most horrified of all. the son of his brother… the man he banished… is the avatar?

so yeah thats the background AT LEAST. i dont really know what happens after that but lloyd runs away or something. i will write more i promise!!!

[cloudninetonine]

Follow the light

Chapter 1

Synopsis: A Genshin impact/Avatar x fem!reader

A/N: INSTANT SECOND CHAPTER. Also, some stuff from my previous post about this crossover is probs gonna change

I do not own the Genshin Impact or Avatar franchise

Warnings

“Let’s try it again”

Nodding, you took a deep breath, focusing yourself on your actions as you began to move. 

Light on your feet, just like the leaf, if you meet resistance, you must be able to spiral away at a moment’s notice, move like the wind, move like you’re free.

Tsering had practically drilled that into you when you began to learn airbending. ‘It was a must’, she had told you, sending a blast of wind into the the spinning death trap- I mean, into the spinning gates, ‘if you are to be the Avatar you must know how to air bend, even if your power is just that of an average bender as of now’

She was right, of course, but the thought of helping restore Raava’s power and find your brother itched at your mind constantly, kept you awake at night as you practiced your moves, occupied your thoughts when you ate, never had you been so desperate to leave the temple.

Despite that, the thought of leaving these people caused your chest to burn, like you had been stabbed right in the heart with the intent to kill. These people had become family to you, on level with your brother, they cared for you and you cared for them, so you knew when it finally came time to leave, which if you were correct, would be a few days from now, you would shed tears.

You would be alone and it scared you.

“Much better” Tsering clapped, as did the other four nuns, the leading nuns, when you finally ceased, bright smile on your face “You’re improving every day, I’d say you could become a master in just a few more years”

You placed your hands behind you back, rocking on your heels “Would I be able to get my tattoos if I did?”

She smiled back “Of course, you’re considered a nomad after all”

A familiar squeaky voice piped up from your left “Paimon thinks you could improve in your stance”

You sent Paimon the stink eye “You can’t even bend, elf”

“Excuse you! Paimon doesn’t need to bend to know you’re stance stinks-”

“Alright you two, no need to fight” Another nun, Nun Palmo laughed, “(Name), you are dismissed, remember to keep training and if you need help, you only need to ask”

With a ‘thank you!’ and quick bow, you headed off with Paimon for your daily walk around the temple.

“Paimon was only joking earlier, you’ve really improved, your bending was pretty flawless! Though, Paimon noticed that you looked a bit distracted, is everything okay?”

Paimon, the ever so observant, when food wasn’t involved, or when she wasn’t talking, or when she was just...herself. The spirit seemed to know you well enough to notice the shift in your attitude as you bent, mind fogged up over other matters that you didn’t need to think about at that moment.

“Yes, Pai, I’m fine, it’s just…” You searched for the words “I’m starting my journey in a few days and I know Raava is here with me but...I’m going to be alone when I travel so I’m nervous. I’ve never travelled by myself before, my brother’s always been with me so….”

A sigh fell from your lips. “It’s stupid-”

“No it isn’t!” Paimon leaned in close, shaking her fists in exaggeration “Being alone is a big deal! Paimon knows from experience that it sucks being by yourself, so, Paimon’s decided to accompany you on your journey! She am a spirit of guidance after all!”

Your head snapped towards her “Wait...seriously?”

“Seriously!”

The grin that spread across your face was contagious, the spirit mirroring your expression as you hugged her tightly, both of you laughing. “Thank you, Paimon, thank you!”

“No need for thanks!....Actually, keep it coming”

Your heart filled with warmth.

You wouldn’t be alone.

The day came faster than you had expected. As cheesy as it sounded, it had only felt like yesterday when Raava had first spoken with you and the two of you had merged, but it had been just over four months with air bending training being a subject for every single day. A mix of grueling and fun, because learning how to fly using a glider brought you back to earlier days with your wings, but getting your arse kicked by spinning gates, falling from far heights when you mess up your bending- not as fun.

A sort of leaving party had been held the night before, a great buffet for you hard work and just fun games to play with your newly aquired airbending skills. (Tsering had beaten you 5 against 1 in Airball and even then, you were sure she had given you the last one out of pity)

You were changed in your older clothes this time, pulling on your gloves and boots, looking yourself in the mirror in your room the last time. It was weird, seeing yourself in your travelling attire when for the past few years you had been dressed in the familiar orange, yellow and reds of air culture, it only further settled as a reminder that you were leaving today.

You had successfully held back the tears till this point.

“(Name)” Glancing towards your door, Tsering stood with her hands clasped together, a small smile on her beautiful features “Are you ready?”

“Uh, yes!” Fumbling for your bag, you made your way over “I’m- I’m ready”

“Good, but before that” Pulling something from behind her back, she presented it to you “You earned this”

Sat within her palms was an airbending staff, accompanied by your familiar red sash that you supported on your clothes previous. You stood in awe as the elder airbender tied the sash around you, tightening it gently before grasping your cheek, stroking it softly with her thumb. “I will miss you, (Name)”

Tears finally pushed through, eyes glazing over as you engulfed the woman in a tight hug, face shoved into her chest. “I’ll miss you too, Tsering”

Ten minutes later, you were heading towards the bison, specifically your bison, one you had befriended by accident and now considered one of your lifelong pals. You hadn’t meant to bond with him, only airbenders received bison, but you had stumbled upon the ordeal when exploring and he just didn’t seem to care about anyone else. Tsering had let you have him without much argument and smiled when you named him Viator, something she didn’t quite understand back then but now was a completely different story.

“Food has been packed for you, along with water, spare clothes and other necessities” Paimon was already sitting upon Viator’s back, munching on what you guessed was something from breakfast, when you jumped onto the bison’s head, stroking through his fur with love. “Be safe, (Name) and please know, you may return whenever you wish”

“Thank you, Tsering. Thank you everyone, you showed me kindness for all these years and treated me as one of your own. I’ll miss you all so much but I promise I will come back” With a commanding ‘Yip, yip’ Viator had pushed himself off the ground “Farewell everyone!”

The younger airbender girls screamed their goodbyes, waving their hands wildly while the older nuns bowed, sending waves once you began to disappear West, towards the mainland of Teyvat.

Finally, your journey began.

-----

“Look, there it is!”

It had taken an entire day, much faster than you had originally expected and you couldn’t have been more grateful for the existence of sky bison. 

From your point, you could see giant cliffs, a small, sandy bay sat beneath them with a path that led deeper into the mainland, your bison following it when you finally hit the shoreline.

“Did Raava say anything about the statues, like, how to even get the power in the first place?”

You shook your head “No, so I’ll just have to see once we find one- woah”

It had taken only five minute to reach a clearing and boy, was it a sight to behold. Cliffs surrounded the area in a crescent shape, the valley holding a plethora of beautiful trees ranging from the famous forest green to autumn time orange. Beyond it stood a city of stone, laid within a sparkling blue lake, Mondstadt you believed. Dead center sat a small isle within the valley, containing just the thing you were looking for.

“That was quick”

Viator grew closer, groaning when you called ‘Yip, yip!’ to drop the lot of you onto the tiny piece of land, Paimon clapping her hands excitedly.

“Oh!” She cried in delight “That’s the statue of the Anemo Archon, Barbatos! He’s the spirit of Air!”

Floating down, you jogged up the statue with your companion following behind, eyeing the tall structure with intrigued eyes when you finally stood before it, glancing around it briefly before Paimon spoke up.

“What now?”

You shrugged “I...touch it?”

“Paimon..agrees?”

Delicate hands reached out, brushing against the golden plaque molded into the botton of the monument when a beautiful glow was produced from the carved diamond patterns, both you and Paimon gasping in surprise as a heavenly sounded resonated through the area, the glow winding up the statue and forming into a beautiful light orb within the hands of the figure head. Slowly, the ball floated down towards you, like a leaf in the wind, then flew into your chest, a feeling of weightlessness flowing through your entire being.

You glanced over yourself.

“Was...that it?”

Paimon huffed “You know, that’s kind of rude to say about the power the Archon just gave you!”

“I didn’t mean it like that-”

A brilliant light flashed before your eyes, blinding you, the whole surrounding scene blurring away. You threw your hands over your face, protecting yourself from the harsh brightness when it faded as soon as it came, the sound of nature that once encircled you now replaced with a deafening silence.

“(Name)”

You turned towards the voice, smiling “Raava”

The spirit flew towards you, you once again lending your hand out only to notice the slight difference within the being.

“You’re bigger” You noted in excitement, watching her wind up your arm “Have I already restored some of your power that fast? If so, this’ll be easy-peasy”

“You mustn't underestimate this journey, (Name)” She spoke with a wisdom that you hadn’t experienced for what felt like lifetimes, your body straightening up in response to her tone “We have only just begun and the road will only grow more treacherous as we push forward. Not everyone will be so supporting in our quest”

A sigh escaped you “Yeah, you’re right, nothing is ever that easy. I wish we had more help though”

“You are not alone in this, (Name)”

“I know, I’ve got you, Pai, Viator-”

“That is not what I meant”

The noise of confusion you made was cut short at the sound of….wind? It grew louder with it second, until the whisper because a magnificent howl, collecting around the two of you before bursting outwards, forms of multiple figures appearing from the darkness.

“Air nomads?” You glanced around at them all “Wait, not just air nomads”

“No, each is an air nomad in their own right” The multiple air nomads eyes snapped opening, revealing a familiar white glow “Not every nomad is in touch with their culture, some fade away, whether that be from their own choice or anothers, while others stick with air custom”

It hit you.

“Past air nation Avatars….” There were so many, you couldn’t keep count! They even faded into the far distance of this mind space! You had known there had been plenty of Avatars but seeing this much was just...wow “But, I don’t get it, the Avatar cycle was destroyed. Wouldn’t the Avatars have vanished? Like in that Water tribe….Korra, like in Korra’s era”

But then again, Tsering had told you that the following Avatar, an Earth Kingdom boy named Genji you believed, had somehow restored the previous Avatars despite the new cycle. No one ever found out how, but no one really cared, they were just grateful for the Avatar.

“I, as well, am not sure why they are returning” The spirit glanced around before facing you once again, sliding further up to reach eye level “Perhaps it is our connection? Your own spirit? Or maybe it is just luck that they return, but they will help you in your journey, they will be your guides alongside me”

You grinned “Good to know I have more backup”

“(Name)!!!!”

The voice of Paimon echoed around you, concern evident in her voice and you glanced around, trying to find her.

“It is time for you to return, but you can always find us again”

The world around you began to fade, the past avatars disappearing within the darkness along with the spirit.

Paimon sighed in relief when the glow finally dissipated from your eyes, you blinking a few times then glanced towards her with an apologetic smile.

“You can’t just go all Avatar on Paimon like that!” She chided like a mother, waggling her finger at you “Paimon wasn’t sure if what happened was worrying or not!”

“Sorry, Pai, didn’t mean to worry you”

She huffed, floating back to Viator “Let’s just continue on, Paimon thinks we should head over into Mondstadt!”

You hopped onto your bison, patting his head “Why, Mondstadt?”

“It’s the city of Wind of course! Poetry and language flow like the wind, so there must be someone who knows about your brother! At least that what’s Paimon thinks”

“Sounds like a good start, yip- huh?!”

A large shadow cast over you, a bellious roar sounding through the valley, deep, thunderous and strong. Glancing upwards, you both watched as a giant creature, with beautiful blue fathers flew overhead, aimed towards the heart of the forest that laid ahead.

“What was that?!” You cried as Viator groaned in alarm, Paimon looking as spooked as you felt “Paimon!?”

“A dragon! We’ve gotta be careful!”

Dragon? What a weird dragon indeed. You had seen quite a few in your lifetime, exploring different worlds with your brother meant you got to experience a whole lot of different things, dragons were no exception. They differed in different worlds, some violent, some passive, some young and naive some old and wise, but one thing that tended to stay the same was that their appetite was a meaty one and when you glanced down at Viator, you decided to take a cautious step for your furry companion.

“Paimon, stay here with Viator” Opening up your staff, you hopped off your animal and flew in the direction of the forest. Your friend called after you, voice high with panic as she begged you to come back, but you weren’t listening, no, you were focused on keeping the people close to you safe, even if that meant fighting a dragon, which you knew for certain you weren’t ready for.

The forest was practically silent compared to the valley. The sound of life that played within the sun had dimmed with the looming trees of oak, muffling the wind that blew through the perfect path that had been carved through the nature with perfect precision, it’s goal on leading to Mondstadt clear with each tentative step you took that lead to where you had seen the great beast land.

‘I wish I had my sword’ Such words shouldn’t come to a nomad, you knew that to be true, but you had lived through battle after battle with your brother for so long, the weight of the blade, the leather of it’s handle, it had been burned into the skin of your hand many times ago. Guilt boiled within you during your years with the nuns, how could you think of fighting while surrounded by such peaceful people? But then again, you could take a warrior from war, but not war from a warrior.

“Don’t be afraid. It’s alright now, I’m back”

You pushed your back against the nearest tree, glancing around it’s wide trunk at the scene.

The dragon was great, indeed. Coloured in an array of blues, from aquatic to deep ocean, feathers and furs adorned it’s body, tipping the tail, decorating it’s wings, lining it’s belly but ended at it’s claws, replaced with silvery scales that reflected the light of the day. From it’s back, however, protruded two tainted purple crystals, that you could sense, all the way from your hidden spot, held nothing but a dark energy that made your skin crawl. The creature’s sheer size was intimidating enough, especially compared to the boy who stood before it, but those crystals- wait.

Only then did you finally notice, too focused on the dragon to see the small male who held his hands out towards it. Sure, you had heard the voice earlier, but the blue beast’s appearance had overshadowed it, though now, you saw him, clear as day and your thoughts screamed about how such a small, fragile looking human could stand tall before such an intimidating animal-

A shout echoed through the forest, a familiar high shout that made you groan inwardly when the dragon let out an ear piercing shriek, swiping towards the boy only for him to jump back to your relief, snapping his head towards you direction, then disappear in a flashing light, the dragon leaving along with him into the sky with a final roar for extra effect.

You glared back at Paimon, panicked stricken face frozen in terror atop Viator’s head, who had tucked into himself at the appearance of the other animal.

“Really, Paimon?!” Running over, you soothed your bison softly “I told you to stay put! What if that dragon attacked?!”

“Paimon- uh- Paimon….” The spirit stumbled over her words for a few moments, when she noticed something within the short distance of where the dragon had been perched “What’s that?”

On closer inspection, it appeared to be a floating crystal, shaped eerily similar to a teardrop which glowed a crimson red, screaming an aura of negativity and…

“Sorrow” You hesitated when you reached out, but ultimately grasped it between your fingers gently “You can feel it right? That sorrow from it?”

“Yeah, almost like spiritual energy but just...sad, really sad” Frowning, Paimon turned towards you “Paimon feels kinda sad now too”

“Yeah, me too”

A cloth emerged from your pocket with a tug, the crimson glow disappearing under the raggedy brown of the material as you wrapped it carefully before stuffing it a bag on Viator’s back.

“Take care of this, will you bud?”

The animal groaned.

“Thanks”

Hopping down, you grasped Viator’s reins and continued down the dirt path.

“So, Mondstadt?”

It didn’t take long to reach the end of the woodland’s winding path. The once dense forestry parting way to a clear road to that great city that stood proud a few acres away, towering cliffs decorating your left for quite a way while to your right laid the beautiful crystal blue waves of what Paimon called Lake Cider.

A strange name, you had to admit, but your spirit friend’s explanation of the city’s famous winery industry only seemed to make it fit.

“-If we ask around, we’ll find some information! Oh, this city is famous for bards! So we can definitely-”

“Hey, you! Stop right there!”

Another threat?

Caution was thrown into the wind and you raced into action, pulling forth your staff in a defensive stance and ready to protect your companions with every last inch of you. Viator seemed to feel the same, as his large frame grew closer to you, towering in size with a guttural growl that even shook you slightly, bearing giant teeth.

Paimon merely fell behind, cowering away nervously.

‘Wow, thanks a lot Pai-’

A figure flew overhead, leaping off one of the shorter cliff sides and descending down to the dirt before you, rolling for safety then bouncing back up on their feet.

Long, dark brown hair, lively golden eyes, fair skin and covered head to toe in red.

Fire nation perhaps? Nun Tsering did say that descendants were fond of the colour.

“May the Anemo archon protect your stanger-...” She started, face kind but guarded until she fell upon your sash and bison “Ah! You’re an Air nomad! I am so sorry!”

Then she bowed, deep and apologetic and you sent Paimon a side eyed glance when she floated back to your side.

“Mondstadt is the city of wind and considered air nation territory” She whispered, “Monks and Nuns are highly respected, well, everywhere, but much higher here. You’re basically considered royalty”

You nodded in understanding before approaching the girl “Hey, it’s okay! It was an honest mistake! What’s your name? Mine’s (Name). This is my spirit guide, Paimon and my bison, Viator”

The younger woman bounced back up, narrowingly missing your head with her own while she stumbled over herself, finally findinger her words as she saluted (?) towards you all, forming a fist on her chest then being thrown outside, hand flattening by her side “Yes, of course! I am Amber, Outrider for the Knights of Favonius. I would like to personally welcome you to Mondstadt, dear Nun and once again apologise for my rude approach”

“Like I said, it was just a mistake!” Laughing, you bowed “It’s nice to meet you, Amber”

Amber paused for a moment, eyes wide then bowed in return “Likewise, Nun (Name)”

“You don’t need to call me that! I’m only a...nun-in-training, really, so, (Name) is just fine”

“Are you sure? It seems impolite to call you that, even if you’re only in training!”

From the sidelines, Paimon smiled.

The spirit had been informed by Nun Tsering of your inner conflict when you had first stumbled into this world. How hard it had been to open up, how you had struggled to interact with the others nuns, always so closed off and scared, the festering feeling of abandonment brewing a deep rooted fear of interaction, lest any person you may come across would be the next to leave you in the dust, by their own will or not.

When Paimon had first arrived, you had still struggled with that fear, even now if was still visible, if you looked close enough, but she knew she didn’t have to worry as much now, you were doing so much better and seeing you grow more confident made pride bloom in her chest, where her heart would be if she were human.

“Please-” Amber gestured over to Mondstadt, “Allow me to escort you to our city”

“Are you sure? If you’re a knight, you’re probably out here for a reason and I don’t want to get in the way of that”

“Not to worry, my duties have been fulfilled for today, so taking you to Mondstadt wouldn’t be much trouble”

With a smile, you nodded and off your little group ventured.

The walk to the city wasn’t long, no, only 5 minutes at least, filled with friendly chit chatter between you, Amber and Paimon, your bison huffing for your attention like he usually loved to do when your focus shifted. The knight looked ecstatic when you offered her a ride some time, bouncing up and down excitedly then engulfing the beast in a hug.

You liked her attitude, her excitement. It reminded you of simpler times and on a more somber note, of Aether. He always was kinda like the sun, even when you two bickered like normal siblings did, he kept on that lightened aura that just kept you from staying mad at him, a smile surfacing on your face while he cheered in accomplishment, a small tease of ‘You know you love me!’ before you smacked him right around the head and your famous fist fights ensued, the ones you always won.

You missed your squabbles, you his light, you missed him, but you had to remind yourself that this was the start of your journey to finding your brother and you would be reunited one day.

The guards bowed when you finally entered the city, as did the seemingly grumpy blacksmith you passed, the flower girl, the adventure guild receptionist, the jeweller- everyone and you did the polite thing of bowing back.

“You’re attracting quite the crowd already!” Amber laughed, the many citizens watching your group with wide gazes “It’s only natural though, I’m sure Paimon’s already told you that Nun and Monks are regarded highly in the city of wind!”

“Yup! Paimon made sure it was the first thing she knew!” You were positive the spirit ignored your stink eye, “So, who do we speak with about missing person posters?”

“Well, it’s best to speak with Master Jean, if you come with me I’ll show you the way! Here, I’ll give you a little tour around too!”

“That sounds great!” You glanced back to Viator, who stood patiently beyond the gates and watched you with soft eyes. “Stay here, bud! I’ll come back soon- and with some hay!”

The great beast groaned, waddling off somewhere beyond the gate and leaving the three of you to wander deeper into the city.

With each step you took, you felt as though you were being watched with the familiar sensation of eyes pinpointed onto you, though, it seemed... unwelcoming, their stare burning holes into your form. For a moment you glanced around, Amber and Paimon too distracted with talking to notice your focus shift. It didn’t take long to find the perpetrator, a man with long red locks, a few yards away, glaring at you with arms crossed.

You noted to yourself to look for the man later.

“Hey, isn’t that Barbatos?” Gaze shifting once again, your look upon the grande statue before Mondstadt’s church, a figure akin to an angel with long robes, wings and hands out, cupped towards the sky “You know, Paimon remembers him wearing less clothes”

The knight shared a disturbed look with you.

You didn’t really need that mental image.

“The headquarters is right over here-”

There was an instant shift in the air. 

The sky darkened with malicious grey clouds, hiding away the bright summer’s sun and replacing it with only a layer of doom, the wind picking up harsher undertones.

“The sky…”

There it was again. 

The dragon from the Whispering Woods.

It raced towards the city, circling it’s borders ominously while growling a thunderous and threatening growl before erupting into a blood curdling screech, the noise bringing forth a miniature cyclone along with powerful tornadoes. 

The people of the city screamed in fear, rushing around to escape the attack, parents crying for children, knights ordering for citizens to take cover, animals yowling out their own grievances, utter chaos reigned and you felt panic at the thought of Viator alone, waiting for you patiently where you left him.

“I have to go get Viator!” You were already sprinting back to the gates “I can’t leave him alone like this!”

Amber raced after you.

How had this happened so fast? And why when you had just arrived? What was going!? Only moments ago you were touring the city towards the Knights of Favonius headquarters and now this!

“Paimon thinks that the tornado is getting too close!” She was right, it was practically on your heels! “Hurry! Or we’ll get caught up!”

If only it had been that easy.

Amber had tried, you had seen her panic as you felt the pull of the powerful wind current begin to drag you closer, she had reached out, grabbing your staff with strength only adrenaline could cause, trying hard to keep you grounded but you could see it was for naught, as her feet slipped against the stone and the fear she would also get sucked in plagued you.

You made a rash, last minute decision.

“Get Viator!” Her eyes met yours “And take care of my staff!”

You let go and watched her horrified face as you were sucked into the winding wind.

It was terrifying, you had no idea what way was up and what way was down, left was right and right was left. Paimon was screaming, something you couldn’t hear in your throat crushing fear, curled into a ball and eyes shut tightly, hoping for it to end soon. If only you had your wings, if only Aether was here, if only...

“Ravaa” Your own whimpering could not be heard beyond the screaming of the wind, but you begged that the spirit still heard you. “Please, I’m scared”

A beat passed.

The wind still roared.

Another beat passed.

The screams of citizens still echoed through Mondstadt.

Then another.

And your eyes snapped open, glowing a brilliant white.

[falling-chandeliers]

atla and tlok should’ve had more desi rep.

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR ATLA AND TLOK BELOW.

hey! atla and tlok are two of my favorite shows, and they’ve accomplished so much. i love the diversity, the messages, and all the representation that they’ve given us. the water tribe is based off of inuit culture, and it’s kind of heavily implied that the fire nation was inspired by east asian culture. and this is amazing!! i love it so much. i’m not quite certain which culture inspired the earth nation/kingdom, but it does seem to be the most diverse.

it is, however, clear that the air nomads’ culture has many aspects from buddhism and some from hinduism. therefore, i believe that we should’ve had more desi rep in the show. both religions have strong roots in india (before you come at me that hinduism spreads across the world and is one of the oldest religions, please remember that it started in india. also note that the founder of buddhism, if that is the term, was prince siddhartha, an indian prince). 

the term avatar itself is literally derived from the sanskrit “avatra”, which used to be one of the major languages in - you guessed it - india. in hinduism, avatars are humans with a god’s spirit in them, to put things simply. lord krishna was the avatar of vishnu, just like how aang and korra are the avatars of raava. the show also uses the buddhist concept of elements: earth, fire, water, and vacuum, which can be interpreted as air or space. 

also in avatar is the concept of rebirth, which is a common hindu belief. it is referenced many times when tenzin asks korra to “reconnect with her past lives”, and there are many other instances as well. 

in atla, aang tries to unlock his chakras with guru pathik. in both hinduism and buddhism, chakras  are the center of your life force, and have a lot of vital energy.

“but roy, i could already see all that! the atla universe is based off of many cultures and its characters are so diverse. besides, guru pathik was clearly desi, if not explicitly indian.”

and you’re right. atla, and subsequently, tlok, universe has a lot of diversity and i love it. however, it still has flaws.

it’s safe to say that aang is the main character in atla. the show is literally called avatar: the last airbender, and aang is the avatar and the last airbender. so, to some extent, this makes airbending/air nomad culture important too, right?

right. and as i very clearly explained above, the airbending/air nomad culture is heavily influenced by hinduism and buddhism. which brings me to my final point:

why don’t we have more hindu and buddhist characters?

you can argue that the original air nomads appear to be buddhist. i agree with you, as many buddhist monks are light-skinned. however, where the hell is our desi rep?

hinduism was literally founded in india. most of its followers live in india, are indian, or are connected to india in some way. i’m calling these people desi, which i believe refers to brown skinned people from the indian subcontinent and around it, including pakistan, nepal, bangladesh, and bhutan, to name a few. 

one thing most of us have in common is our brown skin. so where’s our rep? the ONLY character in the entire show who is almost 100% desi is guru pathik. the only one, out of so many characters. kinda fucking terrible, if you consider the fact that the main characters entire culture derives from the culture of desis. 

in tlok, the only person who looked desi was swami, who was literally equivalent to an extra. thanks, atla and tlok creators. really appreciate the great desi rep.

and yeah, i’m pissed about this. desi culture was used in a show which had probably two (2) desi characters.

but do you know what really gets me? the fact that combustion man and p’li have the eye of SHIVA on their forehead. the eye of SHIVA, ONE OF THE MAIN THREE GODS IN THE HINDU TRIUMVIRATE. this is strictly hindu, and you can’t weasel your way out of it. and yeah, you can argue that combustion man appears to be desi, and i’ll probably agree with you. his race is not as easily discernible as guru pathik. but p’li? p’li is clearly not desi. she could very well have desi genes, but it doesn’t show. she is 100% not brown, and she has the motherfucking eye of shiva on her forehead. shiva, a god from a predominantly desi religion. call me crazy, but i believe that someone who has the eye of a hindu god on their skin should at least look hindu.

there isn’t nearly enough desi rep in normal tv shows, let alone animated shows. and if they do, they’re more often that not heavily stereotyped. one example that really irks me is slav from voltron. he had a heavy indian accent, and was one of the smartest people in the entire show. why? 

if you haven’t figured it out by now. i’m indian. i was born and raised in america, but my parents are immigrants from india. my father is a hindu and my mother is a sikh, and i grew up learning a lot about both of their cultures. and yeah, people still make fun of me in school for my grades, my skin color, and what i eat. the last time someone told me a joke, it was about curry. people call my brother curry-boy, and he’s in his senior year. we grew up seeing racism first hand.

the first time i saw a desi character on animated american tv, i cried. she wasn’t even confirmed indian, but it was clear that she was desi and had my skin tone. the character was mermista, from spop, and she was the first desi character i had ever saw that was completely normal. i mean, clearly, she wasn’t normal because she was like, a princess and could turn into a mermaid, but she wasn’t affected by the many indian stereotypes going around. 

the second time i saw a desi character in tv was quite recently. lila pitts, from the umbrella academy. she too was not affected by the many indian stereotypes. she was simply a badass character with dark skin.

so yeah, it hurts that tv doesn’t normally have desi representation. but it hurts even more that atla and tlok’s desi characters can be counted on one hand. both shows are heavily influenced by desi culture, and don’t have the characters to show for it.

[tvandenneagram]

The Legend of Korra: Avatar Wan - Type 8w9

Wan is strong, independent and principled. He is incredibly courageous and always tries to help those who cannot help themselves. Wan is very selfless and fights to bring justice to the world.

At his best, Wan becomes calmer and slower to anger. He sees the value in all types of life and does his best to protect it. Wan wants to provide balance and peace for everyone. 

At his worst, Wan is quick to anger and is impulsive. He would resort to stealing and dishonest means for his own survival. 

Wan is a true justice seeker and fights for what he believes is right. Prior to gaining any abilities Wan was very frustrated with the Chous and how they treated the other members of the town. He could see that there were many inequalities and hated the power imbalance that was present. 

Wan was protective of the people he cared about and would fight for them. Most of the other people in his town were scared to face off against the Chous, so he would fight for them. Wan would have to resort to stealing food for himself and his friends for his own survival. We see that Wan would often put others ahead of himself and gave away the food he stole to his friends and animals. 

Wan sought power so that he could change his life. He hated the poverty he lived in and believed if he gained more power he could fight more effectively against the Chous. Wan stole firebending from the lion turtle and used this to try and attack the Chous, however his good natured heart didn’t have it in him to actually hurt them. 

Wan enjoyed the power of firebending as it allowed him to protect people. After accidentally freeing Vaatu, Wan felt guilty and sought out more power so he could help rectify his mistake. While no human had ever held more than one element before, Wan insisted that he was different. This is a common theme in Wan’s life as he believes he can handle anything. We see this ultimately when he merges with Raava, despite her telling him that he will die. He knows that they need more power to defeat Vaatu and so he doesn’t care about what could happen to him. 

(gif)

Wan was actually tricky for me to type as I believe he has elements of many different types. Oddly enough I became most stuck between 9 and 8 for him, which is odd since most people think of these types as opposites. I originally thought he could be a 9 because his entire mission in life became to bring peace to the world. He was also nonjudgmental and befriended people/spirits of all walks of life. However, after rewatching the episodes again I think he is an 8 as many of his actions are to protect people/himself and he acts out against perceived injustices. Throughout the first part he also actively seeks power and is quite hot tempered.  

Wan has quite balanced wings and it was hard for me to decide on which wings. I think that Wan switched wings across his life and was initially a wing 7 as he was more reckless and impulsive. In his later life he acts more like a wing 9 as he mellows out and becomes more patient. Wan wants there to be peace for all and dislikes fighting. He would prefer to resolve disputes diplomatically and without violence, which is more characteristic of a 9. 

Tri-type: 8w9 - 2w3 - 7w8

Some quotes to describe Wan’s traits and motivations:

“This is my mission: to use Raava's light spirit to guide the world toward peace.”

“Jaya, it's time to stop being so afraid of the Chous and show them we have the power to change things.”

“ I had to do something. These people were in danger.”

“When you pass through me, I feel an incredible rush of power. I feel like I'm changing. The more we practice, the stronger I become.”

Jaya: “Don't do anything crazy, Wan. You just gotta accept the world is the way it is. Some people have power. Some people don't. And you don't.” Wan: “Not yet anyway...”

Wan: “Great lion turtle, I ask that you grant me the power of air so that I can defeat Vaatu before it's too late.” Air lion turtle: “You already carry the power of fire. No human has ever held two elements at the same time.” Wan: “I'm not like other humans. I can learn to do it.”

Wan: “Yeah, I helped a spirit who was being bullied by you.” Raava: “You are gravely mistaken. I was keeping him under control.” Wan: [Angry.] “And what gives you the right?”

Raava: “The only way for me to give you the other element is to pass through your body and combine our energies.” Wan: “Great. So you've done this before.” Raava: “No. This has never even been attempted. It is very dangerous.” Wan: “That's what they said about living in the Spirit Wilds, and I survived that. I'm ready. Give me the air.”

Little Chou:  “Nobody steals from the Chou brothers!” Wan: “Really? Because I just did.”

[mehmehfwog]

long ass rant time.

(Not my show, not my characters, not my choices. This is not me bashing the show. Just trying to put out my thoughts on the series and understanding to a certain degree on why Korra gets so much hate. I don’t blame the characters. I question the creators)

Ten year old me is jumping for joy that the avatar fandom has risen from the ashes and has become so mainstream and widespread. If you would have told me a year ago that the original show would have had such a big rebirth after so long I would not have believed it.

And after so long of not really wanting too watch Korra because teenage me never really wanted the Gaang to have their stories set in stone. I always wanted it to be left open to interpitation. Going into watching Korra I tried my best to pretend I never watched atla and attempted too not make comparisons.

I am now at the last season of it. And having really hard time watching it. The first two season made a pretty good story. That being said, I really am still having a hard time finding ANY characters likeable after binge watching. The humor falls flat when every characters humor is juts harsh sarcasm. Not one of the characters sacrafices anything to help Korra. They are not a team at all. Mako stays a police officer and will not stay loyal even to his family and friends. Bolin does not give a shit about his brother being inprisoned. Every time Korra,Asami, Bolin, and Mako interact they are fighting. They made Bolin so unsympathetic he really isn’t a comedic relief. I don’t understand the apeal of Mako when he has no loyalties. The whole back in fourth love triangle was so over done and over played they had to give him another episode to explain just to try to give him some fans. Meelo is very sexist annoying, and seems to be having no paranting. Varrick did not make sense. For Avatar be so heavy on families..... not one family has siblings that get along or feel any protection for one another.

The only characters I kind of liked were Jinora who seemed to have the power, spirituality, and common sense that a Avatar needs in my opinion. Kai who had an actual growth, personality, and gained honor in the few times he is shown. These two actually saved people more than anyone. Opal who I felt they could have had such had an amazing storyline and Bolin does not deserve. I wish Korra would have gotten closer too General Iroh. And the rest of the Beiphongs except Jr of course. I liked Tenzin but he sure did jack shit.

To top it not one of the characters has any honor. Even the families. It is such a hard thing to grasp when the Gaangs era was so heavy on loyalty, honor and found family.

Even in the fourth season I am having a hard time connecting with the new “team” avatar. They are all so self involved. And all of the villans could have been stopped with one episode if they would have been questioned on why they are so fucking shifty. All of the bad guys were stopped in Atla because they were immediatly called on their shit even when they were manipulators and felt like they were doing the right thing. (cough Jet cough). Why are all the characters so..... stupid?

The good guys never once win a fight. Even when there is around 50 airbenders, a pro earth benderand lava bender, a pro firebending police officer who can shoot lightning, a skilled nonbender and technician, a old skilled waterbending master(daughter of a bloodbending master healer),a master airbender( son of the avatar). Who couldnt defeat and stood aside as the airbending weeb who suddenly is the most powerful man alive because he could read and conveniently did not need any masters. I can go on for hours on depth on this.

I liked the development and the Avatar cycle starting anew. I liked the Spirit world being reconnected to the humans. (I realy did not like all the technology growth to be honest). If it was not immediatly brushed aside, with no issues coming from it as if the avatar has not been dealing with the humans and spirits fighting for 10,000 years but go off I guess.

I really think that the second season should have been the final season. Think of the possibilities if Korra could have had this epic build up like Aang did, traveling and learning with friends, too defeat this unbeatable force. If it took 4 books to a final battle for convergence. We get so much info about the Avatar and Raava in season 2. And then Korra fights the literal embodiment of darkness and evil. She should be so strong and be more in touch with Raava, the spirits, her powers than any other avatar after she reconnects with Raava. Every other villian pales in comparison. Then gets her ass kicked for 2 more seasons by some losers. A little anticlimactic on my side here.

If she really is a reincarnation of Wan then why is it so hard for her to see the good from the bad. Why is she set up to need so much help when she doesnt get it and doesnt learn from it. They really did make her weak and unlikeable. That goes for all the characters. You can’t change my mind on that.

All in all.... Shitty jokes, demands, bad desisions and sarcasm is not a personality. And thats all the personality a lot of these characters got.

I don’t want to go on hating and bashing this show I just want to forget it exsist. And I am not even at the end of it. I am really sad that the found family of the Gaang seemingly fell apart. Tearing apart the point of the ideals of Aang.

I wish they would animate comics and more of Aangs story because thats what people want. Not a live action movie that will pale in comparison to a book or cartoons. Look at Disney and how “amazing” their live actions have been. Actors, money, and new jokes wont make a Movie. A story will. Characters will. People will.

And that story has been told, not continued in the series. I really just wonder if Nickelodian didnt want to listen to them so they just put out shit.

( The whole Korra/Asami thing not even going into the TV series is another story)

Ok I can go on and on. I will finish hyperfixating for now.Tell me what you guys think.

[zutaradreams]

Day 1: The Blue Spirit and the Painted Lady

AO3

Part 2// Part 3// Part 4

Katara isn’t crazy about high school until she auditions for the Painted Lady in her favorite play...and when she sees who’s auditioning for the Blue Spirit. Written for Zutara Month 2020, To be continued on Day 10

So far Katara isn’t crazy about high school. She has some friends, but her best friends are a year behind her back in middle school. Her brother takes every measure to avoid her even though Mom told him not to. Suki and Zuko don’t even mind if she hangs out with them, just Sokka. The only period they even have together is lunch. It makes matters worse when it seems like everyone has best friends in all their classes. It looks like Katara was the only one who didn’t get the memo.

All that changes when she sees a poster for the theater club on the bulletin board next to the cafeteria. The school is hosting auditions for the upcoming school production of--wait for it--The Blue Spirit and the Painted Lady, which just so happens to be Katara’s ultimate favorite play of all time.

The play is the story of two spirits in the Spirit World, who see the mortals on Earth struggling and cross over into the physical world, even though they’re forbidden from entering the physical world by Raava, the spirit of light. The two of them cross anyways and fall in love on Earth. It’s her mom’s favorite story too. It’s their special tradition to go see the Ember Island Theatre Company’s production of it every year.

Now she has the chance to play a part in it. When she spies the sign-up sheet underneath the poster, she doesn’t hesitate to sign her name. Next to her name, there’s a spot for the character she’s auditioning for. She smiles. Of course she’s auditioning for the Painted Lady. She marks the audition in her planner right away and lets Sokka know she’ll need a ride from school. She lets Suki know, too, in case Sokka forgets.

She memorizes her lines in a day. She spends any free time researching acting tips and watching performances online to get the nuances of her favorite character just right. When the day comes, her mom wishes her luck and Gran Gran tells her to call immediately when she finds out. She isn’t even nervous when she walks into the auditorium for the audition, just excited. A few rows of students sit near the front, and she walks over with her things to take a seat with them.

She’s even more excited when she spies him in the row ahead of hers. She knows that head of gorgeous jet black hair anywhere. She taps on his shoulder to confirm.

He turns back to look at her and smiles over his shoulder. “Hey, Katara.”

“Hi, Zuko.” Zuko, Sokka’s best friend, so much sweeter than Sokka and so absolutely hot, the boy Katara’s had the biggest crush on forever. “What are you doing here?” she asks.

“My mom wants me to join theatre. She says I need to be more involved in the school.”

Katara smiles. His mom’s exactly the type to say that. “So what part are you auditioning for?”

“I’m reading for the Blue Spirit, but I hope I’m bad enough that they put me backstage.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Internally, she thinks, who wouldn’t want that boy center stage?

“Are you auditioning for the Painted Lady?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“I hope you get it.”

“Thanks. I hope you get the Blue Spirit.” She blushes when she remembers the Blue Spirit and the Painted Lady are lovers. The characters even share a kiss on stage. If everything works out the way she prays it will, if she gets the part, and he gets the part, her first kiss EVER could be with Zuko! It’s a lot to take in, so much so that she barely registers she’s supposed to be listening to what he’s saying.

“Maybe we could audition together. Some of the other kids are reading scenes together. That way we can get out of here a little faster.”

Her head spins. Performing a scene with Zuko-- a really poignant scene where the Blue Spirit tells the Painted Lady that no punishment Raava could give would be worse than separation from her--where does she sign?

“Um...yeah...maybe we could.”

The nervousness doesn’t set in until she’s up on stage with Zuko. In the front row sit the theater club sponsor, the stage director, the assistant principal, and a couple other class volunteers with clipboards in front of them. She’s supposed to start the scene. Now if only she could remember what her line was.

“If you’re so afraid of Raava, go back to the Spirit World,” she remembers finally.

“You know I can’t go without you.”

“Well, I’m not leaving. I will never turn my back on people who need me. You used to be the same way.”

“Haven’t we done enough? We’ve sacrificed everything to come here. We’ve worked and worked, and for what? The people we heal don’t stay healed. They keep getting sick! They keep killing each other! Maybe humanity is a lost cause.”

“How can you say that?”

Play-Zuko reaches for her hands. She’s so in-character right now she’ll have to daydream about that later. “Please, my love, come home with me.”

“I’ll never forgive myself if I do. But you go. I can take whatever punishment Raava has in store for me. I don’t want you to suffer too.”

In the play, the Blue Spirit lifts the veil of the Painted Lady’s head covering. Katara isn’t in costume, so he tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. She stores that one away for later too. “If you think there is a greater punishment than living a life away from you, you don’t know me very well.”

This is the part right here. Here, the Blue Spirit and the Painted Lady share their kiss. Here, the theater sponsor interrupts them.

“That was great, you guys! Thank you! We’ll send you guys the list when we make our decision.”

She follows Zuko down the steps, dizzy with bliss. When they’re all dismissed, Katata searches for Sokka’s car in the parking lot. It isn’t there. There is an apologetic text message on his phone, saying Suki’s car broke down and he had to drive her to work.

She sighs. Her house is two miles away. There goes the bliss.

“Hey, do you need a ride?” asks Zuko from the driver's seat of his bright red Mercedes, the envy of so many other boys in his class, including her brother.  

“Yes, please.”

She thinks about that later too. When the list gets sent out to everyone a few days later, she isn’t surprised at all that the two of them get the leads. His mom’s thrilled. Her mom’s thrilled. He’s absolutely shocked, but she isn’t. She knows why they were cast together.

It isn’t hard to be in love with Zuko.

Her phone dings. Congrats, Painted Lady

You too, Blue Spirit .

Then the weight of it really sinks in. She is going to kiss Zuko. Zuko’s lips will be on hers. Before she sends the message, in response to some impulsive part of her brain, she adds a kissing emoji to the text. Her cheeks burn as she presses send. She’s worried he’ll tell Sokka she’s being weird, or worse, ignore her. Then his name flashes across her screen. He’s sent back a kissing emoji and a winky face.

She screenshots the message and laughs giddily, unable to believe her luck.

[carnistcervine]

Aang and Raava are Separate AU

(AU name WIP)

So a while ago I saw this art. And I was like, d’aww. Then it inspired me to make this AU, and I’ve finally written out all the ideas I have for it.

Lemme just have mah mama Raava ‘kay?

-Quick note for this AU, Raava and Vaatu basically have the same powers. So, she also has an insane spirit laser. And where Vaatu can cause emotional distress to the point of hostility in others, Raava has a pacifying aura. I mean, it's possible that Raava also has these abilities in canon, but if she does, she doesn't use them.

-Raava could already sense a grave danger looming over the horizon when Sozin left Roku to die.

-However she remained idle as Aang was born into the world.

-Unlike Aang, she noticed the subtle changes in the people of the Fire Nation, however, once again she did not interfere.

-Raava has been idle since Wan's eventual death, and the world had managed to get along without her direct interference.

-So when Aang runs away and ends up frozen solid, it's a wake-up call for Raava.

-When Aang and Appa sink below the waves, she becomes desperate, her Avatar is about to die before he can complete his destiny. She cannot allow this. Raava takes over freezing a sphere of air around them, she curls around her Avatar and expends her power sending him and his friend into stasis.

-Raava watches over Aang for a hundred years. She would be with him for all his lifetimes...

-When Katara comes across the globe that rose from the water, she doesn't notice the creepy white spirit also trapped in the ice. But Sokka sees it. He tries to stop her from freeing whatever monster was trapped in there, but Katara doesn't notice the strange flatworm-kite-thing until it's too late and it's forcing it's tendrils through the cracks in the ice.

-Seeing an opportunity, Raava uses the cracks in the ice Katara created to break the icy sphere open completely, and a burst of light is sent into the sky, signalling the Avatar's return.

-Katara remembers Gran Gran's tales of spirits who set traps for wanderers out in the icy wastes and worries that she may have accidentally doomed herself and her brother. However, the spirit that pops out of the ice seems more concerned with a young boy it has cradled in it's tendrils. It lays him down gently in the snow, telling him to rest easy.

-When the spirit turns towards his sister, Sokka steps into action, he points his spear at the thing, telling his sister to stay back. That they don't know what this creature is capable of. The spirit casually knocks Sokka's weapon aside and rests a tendril on his shoulder, telling him to take it easy. Sokka can't help but feel oddly drowsy from the contact, like a soft blanket had been draped over his mind.

-Katara asks the spirit who it is. The spirit introduces herself as Raava, the spirit of light and peace. Raava asks Katara if she's a waterbender, Katara confirms that yes she is. So Raava asks if she'd be willing to teach the Avatar, gesturing to Aang.

-Katara explains that she's untrained and that she's the last waterbender in the south pole.

-A fact that worries Raava.

-Raava vouches to see that both Aang and Katara are trained. She asks Katara to take them back to her village and Katara obliges, much to a still sleepy Sokka's chagrin.

-Raava loads Aang onto the bison and Katara and Sokka get on as Appa wakes up. Raava glides along side the bison as Katara leads them to the village. As they get closer, Raava takes on a human looking form and carries Aang in her arms. It's been her personal experience that humans tend to react better to other humans than to faceless spirits.

-None of the villagers ask who this strange woman is, they simply assume that she's the mother of the child she has in her arms.

-Raava watches over Aang as he sleeps. When he wakes up, he feels a vague familiarity at Raava, but doesn't know who she is. She tells him flat out that she's the one known as the Avatar Spirit.

-When Katara introduces Aang and Raava to the village. Raava can't help but feel concerned about how sparse it is. Also, she doesn't introduce herself as a spirit, she simply introduces herself as Raava. The villagers are not only surprised to see an airbender, but also someone as regal looking as Raava.

-Of course, immediately on Raava's docket is going straight to the North Pole so Katara and Aang can learn waterbending. But Aang wants to go penguin sledding with Katara. Being a spirit, Raava is intimately familiar with the fact that they are actually on a deadline and doom is imminent. But even Raava must relent to Aang's incurable puppy face.

-Raava stays behind in the village, learning more specific details about the 100 years war and the stripping of the South Pole.

-Then the whole thing with Aang booby-ing right into a trap happens.

-Sokka banishes Aang from the village, Katara demands to go with him and Raava feels like it's about damn time for them to get on the road.

-Unlike Aang, Raava has no qualms about splitting up Katara's family.

-Then Zuko attacks Katara's tribe and the trio rush back to help.

-Raava steps up to stop Zuko, and Zuko assumes that she's the Avatar. She corrects him, telling him that she's close to the Avatar, but not him.

-She can see the strings of fate that attach Zuko to Aang, so she lets him off easy, grabbing him and using her pacifying aura to make him take a nap. Only saying that he looked like he needed one.

-Iroh is naturally worried for his nephew, but Raava assures him that Zuko is only sleeping and will be back to normal as soon as he wakes up.

-Skipping ahead a bit~

-For the most part, Raava keeps her true nature hidden. Pretending to be a human woman. As no one alive knows who Raava is, it works like a charm.

-Aang is still captured by Zhao when Sokka and Katara get sick, and Zuko does do his Blue Spirit thing trying to rescue him. But also Raava is goddamn pissed and levels half the damn fortress while the duo escape.

-Quick note about Raava, she calls herself a spirit of peace, but she's technically the spirit of order and goes from 0 to 10,000 pretty much instantly. So yeah, she's less an embodiment of peace, and more an enforcer of it.

-They get to the North Pole much faster than in canon, because Raava doesn't play and is actually able to keep the children on task.

-When Pakku refuses to teach Katara, Raava is fucking PISSED. She cannot believe how selfish he's being. Seriously? He's putting his tribe's stupid culture and traditions above the safety and balance of the world! Katara just stands by, smirking as Raava reveals her true nature and goes off on Pakku. She thoroughly enjoys watching him get dunked on by an ancient spirit.

-Not only does Raava demand that both Katara and Aang are taught combat waterbending, but also healing. She honestly doesn't understand why anyone would be dumb enough to separate the two. 1) The more healers, the better. 2) Having an intimate knowledge of the human body(as would be required by healing) makes you a better fighter.

-Both Zhao and Zuko track the Avatar to the North Pole, but Zhao is forced to hang back until he can gather his fleet to attack the fortress. Zuko just breaks right in and is captured. Raava knows that the North will not have mercy on the Fire Prince and demands that he be released to her custody.

-The northerners correctly deduce that she plans on using the Fire Prince as a teacher for the Avatar.

-Unable to deny the direct order of a greater spirit, Zuko is released into Raava's care. She makes sure to keep him in line and implants suggestions into him that make him question his father and country.

-Obviously he isn't anywhere near ready to turn yet, but the seeds are planted much earlier.

-As for waterbending teaching, the healers welcome Aang with open arms. However, Katara gets it ROUGH from the combat students. Pakku is intentionally harsher than normal on her. He's also super hard on Aang, but Katara gets it double time because she's a girl and because Raava is making him teach her.

-When Zhao eventually comes to the North, not only does Raava decimate his fleet, but she also works with Tui and La to trap him in the spirit world for having the audacity to mess with the spirits.

On a side note, I actually spent some time thinking about this. Now for the story, I kind of picture in my mind that Raava goes full on IMMA FIRIN MAH LAZOR on Zhao's fleet. Now, Raava also attacked the Pohai stronghold, and even though Zhao is a reckless idiot, he's not so reckless that he'd just casually forget something as important as the fact that the spirit hanging around the Avatar has A POWERFUL FUCKING LASER. So I got to thinking, if Zhao knows that Raava has a spirit beam attack, he'd make some kind of counter measure. Now, before Kuvira builds the Avatar world's equivalent of a nuke, there really isn't anything that can counter such an attack. And even then, the spirit canon was never used on either Raava or Vaatu, so even though I'm sure it would hurt them, I have no clue how much.

So, this leaves a dilemma. Because Zhao would not abandon his quest to kill the Moon Spirit. Now, I suppose Zhao could just wait for the Avatar to leave the North Pole, but Zhao is not a patient man. So, do I have Raava just not use her spirit laser at the Pohai fortress? Have it be a surprise muthafucka moment for Zhao? I mean, a giant spirit thrashing about would create just as much damage. Or, ooor- And here's a juicy idea~ Zhao intentionally suppresses information of the full extent of Raava's power(it would be harder to get people to join him if they knew just what they were up against) and simply amasses a larger fleet than in canon. He has no real recourse or counter for Raava's power, but decides that he'll simply use his fleet as a distraction. Keep Raava busy while he fulfills his real goal, slaying the Moon Spirit. Zhao's plan isn't to counter Raava directly, but to simply use his fleet a bait.

After all, what better bait than fresh meat?

-Of course, this does bring up that idea... Perhaps Zhao succeeds?

-Oh and in case you were wondering, Ozai was 100% on board with Zhao's idea.

-Skipping ahead some more~

-In Omashu, when facing against the dangerous ladies, Raava proves to be a formidable adversary. Mai's knives harmlessly phase through or bounce off her body. Ty Lee's chi blocking doesn't affect her, and physical contact with the spirit causes Ty Lee to feel the effects of Raava's pacifying aura. Raava's aura, as Ty Lee notes is a brilliant radiance, like looking at the sun.

-And in Azula's case, Raava isn't at all intimidated or swain by her. The spirit is hardly fazed by her blue fire, taking fireballs to the face without so much as a flinch. For the first time in Azula's life she find herself an unstoppable force, meeting an immovable object.

-It's equally frustrating as it is exhilarating.

-Azula's found a worthy opponent.

-For Raava's part, the group are hardly noteworthy. Easily taken down by her pacifying aura. However, Raava knows better than to underestimate an opponent. Fighting someone for eons(like Vaatu) instills these lessons quite firmly. So, she notes whatever things she can about the group, instinctively knowing that this isn't the last she'll see of them.

-Aaand, the swamp. The swamp wants the Gaang to come down and join it. Raava wants the Gaang to join the swamp. The Gaang do not want to join the swamp.

-When the Gaang try to fly over, Raava warns them that they've angered it. She does nothing as the swamp forcefully sucks the group down.

-I'm still deciding whether or not Zhao succeeds in killing Tui... But if he doesn't, instead of encountering a vision of Yue in the swamp, the moon spirit confronts Sokka. With all it's creepy faceless glory.

-As for Aang, he chases down the vision of Toph and runs into Vaatu, or at least a vision of him(or maybe it really is him, I'm leaving this intentionally vague). The spirit shrinks down and forms into a black humanoid shape and reaches out to Aang, who flees in terror.

-Yeah, I'm thinking that overall the Gaang's spirit visions/encounters are much longer, more harrowing, and much much more involved. More like dream sequences/quests than simple visions.

-The swamp is alive, it is a spirit. And spirits are dicks.

-When the group reconvenes, Sokka accuses Raava of terrorizing him. If I have Zhao succeed in killing the Moon Spirit, this scene becomes much more personal with Sokka accusing Raava of using Yue to terrorize him. He's livid with the light spirit, claiming that she used the image of Yue to torment him.

-Of course, Raava did no such thing. But she let's Sokka have his moment, utterly unmoved by his anger. She calmly states that she did no such thing and asks Sokka what possible motivation she could have for doing that.

-Sokka's pissed at Raava for a bit after that, but ultimately accepts that she had nothing to do with what he saw.

-As for Raava herself, she has a vision of Wan.

-Skipping ahead a bit~

-For Toph, Raava is a nightmare. Raava is a spririt, so not only does she not create any vibrations whatsoever, but she also lacks a smell and her voice emanates with no clear direction. Toph never knows when Raava is around, where Raava is, or when Raava is approaching. The only time she knows Raava's there is when she starts speaking.

-She's also completely unable to tell when or if Raava is ever lying.

-Without meaning to, Raava makes Toph feel helpless.

-But that's not all, Toph also hates how demanding Raava is. And poor Toph has no recourse against her. She can't see Raava, so she can't throw any earth her way, and Raava doesn't respond to argument or teasing. At least when Toph is annoyed with Katara, she can call her Sugar Queen and throw mud on her. But deepest of all, Toph is worried that Raava will treat her like her parents treat her. As someone who's too weak and delicate to care for or defend themselves.

-From Raava's perspective, she doesn't like how chaotic Toph is, but overall feels the same way that she does for the rest of the Gaang. She comes to love her dearly. As much as she dotes on the Gaang, she doesn't at all think of any of them as being weak. Far from it! In her eyes they're all powerful warriors. They're her powerful warriors. Yes they are, yes they are~!

-Raava pretty much dotes on the Gaang and comes think of them as her children. She basically takes over Katara's role as group mom, which allows Katara to settle more into a role of being a kid.

-Even though Raava spoils the Gaang, she's also the fun police. The Gaang are all chaotic gremlins and Raava just wants them to stop and SETTLE DOWN FOR ONCE DAMMIT.

-Just an all powerful spirit vs the chaotic energy of a bunch of kids.

-At Wan Shi Tong's library, Raava joins the Gaang going inside. It's because of her that Wan Shi Tong allows them to peruse his collection.

-While he doesn't trust or like humans, he isn't dumb enough to defy a greater spirit. Especially not Raava.

-Let's just say, Raava has a bit of a reputation.

-The Gaang are able to spend a very long time in the library, building an extensive plan and knowledge base before they leave.

-Raava insists that Toph come into the library with them, offering to read to Toph whatever topic her heart desires. The idea makes Toph a little excited, but she makes it seem like she's only begrudgingly agreeing.

-You know Toph would take full advantage of Raava's offer and learn about everything her parents tried to hide from her.

-It does provide as an opportunity for Raava and Toph to bond. Toph finds that Raava's voice is nice to listen to, very soothing. She also finds that Raava isn't as judgmental as her parents. She judges Toph for her actions and her strength, not some preconceived notion that blindness=weakness.

-I'll probably have other times like this peppered throughout the story where various members of the Gaang get a one-on-one with Raava where she offers her I've-Been-Around-Since-The-Beginning-Of-Time-So-I-Must-Know-Something wisdom.

-Naturally, this means that the sandbenders are able to steal Appa unopposed.

-Since Appa has been stolen, Raava carries them all to Ba Sing Se. She tries to console Aang in his grief, but Aang shuts himself off from the rest of the group, and even blames Raava for Appa's disappearance.

-When they first find out, he blows up at her, screaming that she should have kept watch to make sure nothing happened to him.

-To which Raava rightly points out that not only is Appa a ten ton bison fully capable of handling himself, but also they don't know what happened to him, and leaving someone behind could have meant loosing two team members instead of one.

-Aang is upset enough to trigger the avatar state, but Raava uses her ties to him to pacify him instead.

-By the time Raava reaches the walls of Ba Sing Se, the city's generals have collected along with several soldiers. Being a giant, luminescent flatworm, Raava isn't too hard to spot. Even at a distance.

-Of course, the Gaang are all knocked out from prolonged contact with Raava so they're useless at the moment.

-The generals soon recognize Raava as being the one that brought down Zhao's fleet, and slightly concerned she'll do the same to the city, comply with her demands that the Gaang be given adequate shelter.

-The Gaang all wake up in a very nice house in the upper ring, Raava is quietly reading a play.

-For a while Aang resents Raava, feeling like it's her fault that Appa disappeared. Raava, understanding that he needs to time to process his grief, leaves him be.

-Raava actually likes Ba Sing Se. As a being of order, she sees the peaceful, orderly city as the way the world should be.

-She feels Long Feng's methods to be effective.

-This does drive a bit of a wedge between her and the Gaang, as none of them can properly comprehend spirit morality. Aang kind of understands, but he's kinda pissed at Raava.

-Raava decides to be patient with them, by this point she's realized that sometimes humans need time to understand things.

-Raava and Long Feng come to have an understanding.

-Even still, when Appa goes roaming out into the dark night, it's Raava and not Long Feng that he finds at the end of his journey.

-Aang is very happy to be reunited with Appa and apologizes for being cold/harsh with Raava. Raava just hugs him.

-Thanks to Raava and Long Feng's understanding, they manage to get a meeting with the Earth Kingdom generals to talk about the invasion of the Fire Nation.

-Since they get to Ba Sing Se earlier than in canon(again Raava is pretty good at keeping the children on task and getting/keeping them out of sticky situations) the drill appears much later during their time in Ba Sing Se.

-The Fire Nation didn't know that Raava was in Ba Sing Se, but figured that their reinforced drill would be tough enough to withstand- it's not.

-Raava just wants to blow the stupid thing up and be done with it, but Aang doesn't want Raava to do that because then a whole bunch of people will die. Raava doesn't care, a few human casualties is nothing compared to the havoc on the world's balance that the Fire Nation taking Ba Sing Se would bring.

-But Raava relents and decides to pull the drill apart, a slower and much harder process, but one that would be much less likely to harm anyone inside.

-They notice right away that Raava is attacking the drill, so Azula and her two friends go out to fight Raava and the Gaang.

-Mai and Ty Lee have learned their lessons about physical contact with Raava from the last time they fought.

-Azula uses her lightning on Raava, which while not deadly like it would be on a human, does actually hurt Raava.

-After being hit by multiple bolts of lightning, Raava lets go of mercy and trashes Azula.

-Thoroughly crushed, Azula and her friends have to go home with their tails between their legs.

-In this AU they never visit Kyoshi, and Appa's with Aang, so there's no one for Azula to disguise herself as.

-Azula also starts to crack a little bit earlier due to her complete inability to even pose a threat to Raava. As this forces her to reconsider deep aspects about herself and her own failings. After all, almost isn't good enough.

-Azula does try to tell herself that he usual tactics aren't working on Raava, because she's a spirit and spirits are fools. But deep down, she's always considered herself above the spirits. So it's not easy for her when this is called into question.

-The dangerous ladies do eventually manage to sneak into Ba Sing Se. Azula's plans remain more or less the same as canon.

-Though, I have started thinking that maybe Azula adds another to her posse, perhaps someone with spiritual expertise? No one can counter Raava in terms of power, but perhaps she can be countered in terms of spirituality?

-Either way, Azula fails to sway the Dai Li to her favor. In their eyes, Raava's favor of Long Feng means he's the one that was chosen by the fates to lead.

-So the dangerous ladies are arrested.

-I'm still deciding whether they break out or get brainwashed. I’m leaning towards epic jailbreak. But IDK.

-Iroh invites Raava to his tea shop, flirts and makes pleasant conversation with her. Much to Zuko's dismay, Iroh invites her back to their apartment to discuss a firebending teacher for the Avatar, as well as the Day of Black Sun.

-Oh yeah, Raava knows that Zuko and Iroh are Fire royals. She also knows that they're the only good options to fill Ozai's place when he's removed from power.

-All that said, the eclipse goes soooo much better than in canon. The Fire Nation legit don't know what's coming so no trap can be lain.

-Ozai is stripped of his power by Raava and thrown in jail.

-Zuko is crowned and rules with Raava constantly leering over his shoulder.

-Some notes about Raava's characterization in this AU; a pretty strong case for good is not nice. Raava can be very blunt and abrasive, also she nags and chides literally everyone. She absolutely loves and adores her Avatar, as well as the companions he travels with, but is overall critical of humankind. While the amount of people she likes is vanishingly small, she also doesn't really hate anyone(not even Vaatu). She's more like the tired kindergarten teacher who stares into the void as her students tear the classroom apart around her. Of course she’s also about a planc length from taping all the children to the floor.

-And if you think that's the end and everything just wraps up nicely and it's all happy good times from there...

-I admire your optimism.

[bellatrixobsessed1]

The Art Of Remembrance (Part 31)

Sokka groans, she still hasn’t spoken to him since the night they’d looked at the lights. She isn’t being hostile, but Raava he’d almost prefer it to her cold shoulder. Frankly, he never thought that a firebender could be that cold, perhaps he hadn’t wrapped her in enough parkas after all.

He watches Azula emerge onto the deck and tries a little wave. She returns it with a degree of nonchalance.

Alright, he decides to himself, so maybe she isn’t giving him the cold shoulder but she has definitely been distant. They are two days into their boat ride and she hasn’t come to him with her sleep troubles at all.

The worst of it is that he isn’t entirely sure why. Had not answering her right away really been such an offense? “Can we talk?” He asks as she passes.

“No.” It is a single word and she slips away. Slinking across the deck as though he hadn’t spoken at all. He watches her find TyLee and reluctantly invite herself into whatever discussion the girl is having with Mai. He supposes that he is happy for her, she has managed to bring herself closer to the two of them again, even if she lacks some of the social graces.

“You two fighting again?” Katara asks.

“No!” He answers. “Yes? I don’t know. She’s just not talking to me. But she hasn’t lit my close on fire yet, so that’s a good sign, right?”

“Well what were you talking about before she stopped talking to you?” Katara inquires.

Sokka gulps. His face might be going a shade pink. He isn’t sure if he should tell her. How the hell is he supposed to break the news that he is falling for the person who’d persistently attacked them for the longest time.

“Well?”

“I uh...she asked me if I…”

“If you…” she encourages with a hand gesture.

“If I love her.”

Katara’s mouth falls agape. “And what did you say?” She sputters, her voice a hair higher than usual.

“Nothing.” He replies. “I didn’t say anything and then she stomped--sort of, she kind of tried to stomp but her feet kept getting stuck in the snow and so she had to just walk--back to our house.”

Katara sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose, giving him the impression that he is absolutely clueless. “You can’t just say nothing when someone asks you if you love them!”

“Then what am I supposed to do?”

“Answer the question, Sokka.”

.oOo.

“Awww,” TyLee gushes and Azula has to turn away to hide the light shade of pink creeping over her cheeks. “And what did he say!?”

“He didn’t say anything, TyLee.” She crosses her arms.

“Hmmm…” She hums.

“What am I supposed to make of nothing?”

“That he doesn’t like you and you should find someone who isn’t a moron.” Mai shrugs.

“He’s not a moron. Unlike your boyfriend.” Azula grumbles.

Mai shrugs again, “all of the men on this boat are idiots.”

“I don’t know.” TyLee replies. “Maybe he didn’t reply because he’s still thinking about it. Or maybe he does love you! And he just got shy.”

“Why would he get shy?” Azula asks.

“Because you’re...you.” She replies. “You’re an intimidating person.”

And yet he has seen her bawling and shaking like a child or a cornered and wounded animal. He can’t imagine that, that is intimidating.

“And you’re pretty and smart and maybe he doesn’t think that he can match up!”

Her flattery is rather nice, but she takes it with a grain of salt. Granted, she has decided that TyLee is the prefect person to ask about this. At the very least, she is enthusiastic. Azula finds herself glad that she has chosen to try to mend things between the two of them. Though she wonders if it was a feat only made possible because there is such a large portion of her missing.

“I think that you should ask him again.” She smiles.

“And this time give him time to answer.” Mai adds in a monotone drawl.

.oOo.

She ought to do it, she ought to ask him again, or at least resume talking to him. Her mind is loud again, loud and full of dark visions as it takes her through moments she has already lived. She wants to wander in by Sokka again but she doesn’t want to leave him with the impression that she is using him. That she only speaks to him when she needs comfort. So her legs carry her back to Zuko’s cabin. As of late, when the phantom tingling in her arms worsen and the past replays itself in her nightmares, she finds herself pestering her brother. He lets her take the top bunk and talks to her until her words break off into a sleepy murmur. It isn’t the same as spending the night with Sokka but it is its own kind of reassuring. This time she doesn’t bother knocking. He is still awake and doesn’t question her as she climbs back onto the top bunk.

He gives her a few moments to settle in before asking, “what do you want to talk about tonight?”

Tonight has been ludicrously rough, her nightmares much more potent and she wants to attribute it to her hatred of the sea combined with how recently she’d relived her days in the compound. “Can you tell me about your scar?” She imagines that this is a topic that will have strength enough to keep her attention.

She hears him suck in a deep breath.

“Nevermind.” She mumbles.

“No. It’s fine, I’ll tell you.” He replies and then he goes silent again.

“Let me guess, that’s my fault too?” She asks softly.

“No!” He replies quickly and much more hushed he adds, “it was our father’s fault.”

Her brows furrow. Their father. Truth be told she hadn’t thought much of him. Hadn’t even considered how bizarre it is that she hasn’t seen either of her parents yet. There is so much going on in her mind… “why haven’t I met them yet.”

“Because Ozai--father is in prison and mom is visiting our uncle in the Earth Kingdom.”

“Did he go to prison for burning your face?”

Zuko shakes his head. “Sokka told you about the war right.”

“Parts, yes.” She answers. “He only really told me about my part in it.”

“Well it was our father who sent you out to go after me. He’s the one who…” he trails off. “I think that a lot of what you did was his fault. He was always turning us against each other.”

Azula inhales, her chest constricting slightly at that mention.

“He was evil. He’s still evil, but he’s evil in prison now. He was going to burn the entire Earth Kingdom to the ground so that he could rule over everything. And he had you go out and conquer things in his name and you. You liked it.”

Azula curls her hands into the fabric of the pillow. In and of itself it is disturbing to know. But that she had managed several successes… “what’s wrong with me?”

She can sense him going tense on the lower bunk. “I didn’t mean that. I mean…” he breaks off with a frustrated groan. “I don’t think that you’re like him. For a while I did, but you’re different now.”

This only sinks her heart further. “When we get to the Foggy Swamp, I was thinking that we can just shut the facility down, make the arrests, and be on our way. I think that I’m better off without my memories.  And besides, I’d rather not risk losing the ones I have now if something goes wrong.”

“Don’t say that.” He says.

“People like me more now, I’d rather have that. Anyways, my past doesn’t exactly sound cheerful.”

“If you’re worried about going back to the way he--father--wanted you to be I don’t think that you should. I think that everything that’s happened since you lost them will matter more to you than what came before that.”

Azula draws her legs to her chest.

“And if it helps, even before you lost your memories I realized you weren’t like him. Ozai is a lost cause. You’re more like me.” He pauses.

“Why would you say something so rude?” Azula snickers.

“Gee thanks.” He grumbles, she detects a faint trace of amusement before his tone goes serious again. “Did Sokka ever tell you what I did before making friends with Aang?”

“No.”

“Well for one thing, I burned a whole village on Kyoshi Island. It was where Sokka’s girlfriend lived. And I sent a hitman to kill them all…”

“Oh wait, he did mention that.” She mumbles more to herself. “The hit man anyways. I can’t picture you as the type to burn a whole village down. Not on purpose anyways.”

“Ha. Ha.”

She snickers again.

“My point is, our father got us both to do awful things. But I had mom and uncle. You only had him. I’m glad that he’s not around you anymore or me. Because you have a chance now.”

“I suppose that that’s good to know.” She notes, not even conveying half of the relief that is swelling in her chest. She supposes that she can’t be horrible to her core if it brings her that much comfort knowing that she hadn’t been completely unsalvageable before the Vine Facility.

“Anyways, I knew that our father was evil from the start. I was thirteen when he challenged me to an Agni Kai.”

“Agni Kai?” Azula sits up and climbs down to join him on the bottom bunk. He sits up and makes room.

“Oh right, you don’t remember what those are.” He says aloud. “It’s a one on one dual between two firebenders. It’s a fight for honor and ends when one opponent burns the other.”

Azula nods. “Father wanted to hurt you.” It isn’t a question but rather a repetition of what she already knows.

“Yeah. A grown man wanted to burn his thirteen year old son because he spoke out of turn. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t fight our father because I...still loved him. I believed in him.” He shakes his head. “And even if I could have fought him, I didn’t stand a chance.” She can see tears glistening down his cheeks and thinks that perhaps she should reach out. But she also thinks that doing so would be awkward. So instead she holds her hands in her lap and stares at her palms.

“And while I was looking up at him, begging him not to do it…” He touches his fingers to the scar. “You and uncle were there.”

She can add that to the list of things better off unmemorized.

“After that he banished me. Told me that he didn’t want to see my face again because I’m an embarrassment. You found me a few days later and were able to convince him to let me have a ship and a crew and uncle.”

“I did something good?”

He gives a soft smile and nudges her on the arm. “Don’t look so surprised. I told you that you’re not like him.”

“Our father burned you…” she trails off. Suddenly she wonders what he has done to her. Just as much, she doesn’t want to. “A man with honor wouldn’t fight a child. Or anyone significantly below his skill level.”

“You always fought me.” He points out.

“Then I must have found that you could hold your own against me. Even if you couldn’t win.” She shrugs.

“You think that I’m a good firebender?”

“I haven’t see you do it much, but if you can fight me and come out alive then you have to be at least somewhat competent.” She pauses to consider the alternative. “That or we’re both horrendously subpar.”

He laughs. “You’re not subpar.”

She stands up and heads for the ladder.

“Thanks.”

“It’s the truth. You can’t be that bad if…”

“No. For telling me that it’s father who has no honor.”

“Oh, yes, well that is also the truth.”

He laughs once more. “You’re still terrible at being comforting.” Before she can climb up he adds, “but somehow that is kind of comforting.”

“Glad that I can help?”

“If you have trouble sleeping, I’m down here.”

“Yes, I know. Good night, Zuzu.”

She hears him give an exaggerated groan. “Why is it that no even a memory wipe could erase dumb that nickname!?”

“Because it holds more power than the both of us.” She murmurs. “Good night, Zuzu.”

“Good night.”

Azula pulls the covers up to her chin. She thinks that she might just have a peaceful night after all. She only needs to sort things out with Sokka. In the meantime it is a kindness to know that she isn’t resented. That, even at her darkest she hadn’t been so truly terrible that her own brother could write her off. Again she finds herself toying with the idea of calling her memories back. She sighs and decides to put that line of thinking aside for the night and take comfort in ridiculous nicknames and potential and highly cringeworthy sibling bonding.

[littlemisssquiggles]

Pretty random question, but do you think that RT could wind up killing Ruby or Oscar off? Idk, I feel like if they did it right then it could be really sad. What are your thoughts?

…Uhmm…no?At least not in a permanent way. I’d like tobelieve that Ruby and Oscar both have a strong set of plot armour in theirarsenal. Ruby because she’s our series main protagonist and Oscar because…okayI’ll be blunt here: The CRWBY Writers axing Oscar would honestlybe a rather absurd plot decision given the context of how Oscar wasfirst introduced into the story.

Oscaris meant to more or less replace ProfessorOzpin at some point as the newest incarnation of the Wizard of Light. The CRWBYkilled off Ozpin to bring Oscar in and right now, they’re supposedly integratinghim into the main group and plot indicating that he might have a bigger role inthe story. I mean he certainly does just as much as Ruby given his connectionto the main series antagonist: Salem.

IfOscar dies and it’s a permanent thing then the first question I would ask is: What was the pointof creating his character?

What was thepoint of killing off Ozpin to introduce us to this new child character that wasmeant to replace Ozpin only to kill him off after spending seasons makingaudience members invest in his character and story arc? Why do all of that atall if that was his endgame?

I’msorry. This is mostly my personal Pinehead bias talking but I really do thinkkilling off Oscar for good after killing off Ozpin to get him instead soundreally dumb. Feel free to disagree with me if you will but that’s how Ihonestly feel about that.

Butto really answer your question Momfriend, in the event that the Writers do planon kill either of these two off, I can only see it being done for like the series finale.

ForRuby, I can only picture the Writers’ writing her final swan song as hersacrificing herself for the fate of humanity. While I technically don’t believethe CRWBY would actually kill Ruby, this is one way I can see them doing it ifthe thought ever crossed their minds.

Maybethey can even pull a River Song in Doctor Who where Ruby dies bravely to stop Salem and Oscar useswhat bit of the God’s light he had left in him to bring her back with a literalkiss of life.

Imagine if…in the end, the Writerspull a bit where Oscar is able to share his immortality with Ruby Rose so theyboth become immortalbeings whose love ends up shaping Remnant and its history for many,many generations.

Theycould become the epitome of soul mates wherethey’re attached at the soul and if one of them dies, the other dies as well.So they die together but are reborn separated with their memories intact. Butno matter where they respawn they always find each other again and relive theirlove.

That could be sweet.But I doubt the Writers will do something like this. Makes for a kickass AUthough.

ForOscar I can more picture him dying temporarily onlyto be revived later. Not as a new character but as himself. His true self. Hiscomplete self. I’ve been repeating this theory for the longest time where Ibelieve Oscar is truly Ozma---the reincarnation of his original form reborn inModern Remnant.

Ihave this picture in my head where Salem captures Oscar and takes him to her Dark Domainwhere she performs some kind of dark crucifixion ofsome kind. I’m not sure if you’re an Avatar fan as well but in its sequelseries, the Legendof Korra, it is revealed that the Avatar is in fact a combination ofa spirit and a human soul.

InKorra’s second book, the Avatar spirit---Raava is ripped out ofKorra---the current Avatar and whipped right before Korra’s eyes.And with each beating, Korra loses his connection to her past lives going downthe lineage until the Avatar cycle is reset and Korrabecomes the first and last Avatar.

Somehow I’ve picturedOscar suffering a similar fate like that where the reincarnation cycle is reset with him as theLast Wizard of Light. The last life. In my vision, Salem uses her dark magicto force Ozma or what she believes to be Ozma’s soul out of Oscar’s body. Ozpindescribed himself not just as one man but a culmination of them. So it’s my assumption thatwhen the Merge occurs, the souls of the other Wizards don’t truly die ordisappear but become a part of something I dubbed the Wizard Persona which they share with their current successor.

Ithink all thesouls of the past Wizards live within Oscar.He just hasn’t done anything to really connect withthose differing souls beyond Professor Ozpin. However I do think they are allthere with him. My Pinehead headcanon is that Salem will strip Oscar of his connection tothe other Wizards, killing them one by one until all that remains isOscar’s feeble soul.

Similarto Korra’s experience, picture…Salem extracting the souls of each of theWizards before Oscar who are a part of him. Picture Salemkilling each and every one of them for good, right before Oscar’s very eyes andwith each disconnection, Oscar feels his soul suffer as if he’s being torn in two.

Salemdoes this because she’s trying to get to Ozma who she’s trying to find amongthis mess of men. Unfortunately for Salem, she never finds Ozma and it isrevealed later that Oscar has been Ozma all along---his true reincarnation of him as the younger revived version of hisoriginal self. So Oscar technically dies but he’s brought back one last time tocomplete the mission he promised to fulfil all those years ago in his firstlife as Ozma.

Mytheory is that Oscarwill meet the God of Light or at least one of the Gods in the Realm BetweenRealms again. Since Ozma met the Godof Light, I think it’d be a cool contrast if Oscar met the God of Darkness and it would fit with the theory I have where Ibelieve the Godseach contribute to the creation of life inspite their differences.

My theory is thatBrother Godsdon’t just represent light and darkness but also body and soul. Dark represents the body while light represents the soul.

Mytheory is that through a consult with the God of Darkness, Oscar will learnthat he has been Ozma all along. He is the original form---the body ofOzma---that the God of Darkness brought back with his power. But when questionedof why the God of Darkness would do such a thing, he informsOscar that he did it in aid of his brother. The Brothers may differ in theirsentiments and levels of mercy shown towards mankind and while the God ofDarkness might not share much what fate befalls his so-called greatest creation,he does care and believe in his brother; even if he might never say that to hisface.

Let’s say, the God of Darknesshad a hunch that his brother’s experiment with Ozma’s soul mightfail at some point. There was no way he could keep doing this forever and atsome point, humanity would fall again by Dark’s premonition. So as one lastfailsafe, in addition to reviving the God’s Champion: Ozma, each Brothercontributed an additional trump cardto aid Ozma in the event that he failed to see through with his mission.

TheGod of Light’strump card were the Silver EyedWarriors---beings he blessed with his eyes to destroy the Creaturesof Grimm. The finaltrump card, the one Darkness had a hand in, was the creation of Oscar.

Godof Light was never able to revive Ozma’s old body. It was a feat out of hispower. But not Dark’s. While the God of Light revived Ozma’s soul, Ozma’s old body wasreborn and granted a new life and a new nameuntil his truepurpose will be realized. Destiny has a way of trailing back to where it’s supposed tofall after all and eventually Ozma’s revived soul would ultimately merge withhis revived body, reviving the hero---the champion known as Ozma completely. Ozma was theChampion of the Gods. The Wizard of Light andOscar is Ozma.

Thisis why I’m standing with the Merge not killing Oscar. It’s supposed to make himcomplete.Ozma will be made whole again. Oscar will be made whole again. That’s my headcanon and boy do I love it.  

Do you knowwhat would be interesting?

What if… the Gods being gods foresaw their greatest creation bringing abouttheir own damnation? What if…the Godsalready knew Salem was going to bring about humanity’s destruction but wereunaware on how to stop it.

Sothey introduced players and trump cards intheir game of Fate against Humanity. It’d be funny if RWBY is revealed to be one big game that theBrother Gods have been playing this entire time alongside another known God.

Possibly a third God---A higher being who warnedthe brothers that their greatest creation would fall and rise to destroy themboth and themselves.  Picture…this third Godbeing the Creator of the Brother Gods.  Perhaps there isa female Goddess---AMother of theCosmos who is the mother of the Brothers of Light and Darkness.

AlrightI think this is where my headcanons needto stop since I’m getting ahead of myself here. But it’s cool to think about,right? Hope I actually answered your question fam.

~LittleMissSquiggles (2019)

[empressofthesunwriter]

Yin and Yang: Book 1.15

Balance is a key aspect in the world, so why shouldn’t the Avatar have an opposite?

In a world where Raava and Vaatu merge with humans, the Avatar and the Daimon try to keep the peace between the four nations.

Aang and Hua are the current incarnations, but wake up 100 years in the future.

How will these two learn all four elements in one year and defeat the Fire Lord?

Book 1.15: Bato of the Water Tribe

Water. 

Earth. 

Fire. 

Air. 

Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. 

Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. 

Only the Avatar and Daimon, masters of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed them most, they vanished. 

A hundred years passed, and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar and Daimon, an airbender named Aang and an earthbender named Hua. 

And although his airbending and her earthbending skills are great they have a lot to learn before they’re ready to save anyone. 

But I believe Aang and Hua can save the world.

***

“Ah isn’t it nice? Just us four, Momo, Appa and Jaiyi, no stupid Mask-Dude around!”

“Sokka, you are so annoying! Blue is our friend! I’m a bit worried for him.”

“Katara, Blue said in his note that he had some things to do here, I’m sure he will be back.”

“I hope so, Aang.”

“I wonder what Blue has to do here. I mean, besides the water tribe ship from the fleet of your dad we found, here is nothing interesting.”

“Well, Hua, maybe Mask-Dude has to report to his evil boss about us! Telling him how gumble we are and will lead us straight in these hands!”

Annoyed Hua, Katara and Aang looked at Sokka, who was sitting, like them, around the campfire, acting like he knew why their friend had left.

This morning as they had found clues of a battle between the watertribe warriors of the South and firebenders, Blue had been with them. 

Then they had decided to camp tonight beside the ship.

That’s when Blue “said” he had some stuff do to around here, however he would soon rejoin them.

Only Sokka was happy that Blue was gone. 

All the others, especially Momo and Jaiyi, who Blue had always given some extra food, were sad. 

Blue hadn’t been long with them, yet, his quiet helpful presence was missed. 

Since he could now communicate with him, they also missed his opinions and snarky responses.

Suddenly a strange noise can be heard, its source originating from somewhere in the fog around them.

All jump up, benders in their bending positions and Sokka has his boomerang ready.

“Who's there?”, demands Sokka to know.

A man, hailing from the Water Tribe with white bandages wrapped around the upper left portion of his torso, stepped out of the shadows. 

He is surprised to see them.

“Sokka?”

The addressed one raised an eyebrow quizzically before he recognised the warrior.

“Bato!”

“Who?”, chorus Hua and Aang a bit confused.

However, no one seems to hear them as Katara also calls out the name of this Bato and she and Sokka run up in his arms. 

The three watertribe members hug each other tight.

“Sokka! Katara! It is so good to see you two. You've grown so much.”, tells them Bato moved.

How does he remember Hakoda children being so tiny and cute, and now? Now they were nearly adults.

Aang and Hua get a bit closer to the three, staying a respectful distance away.

Both bow in greeting.

“Hi, I'm Aang and this is Hua.”

“Nice meeting you.”

No one seems to listen to them, because Katara and Sokka ask where their father was and Bato tells them he and the other warriors are in Eastern Earth Kingdom now.

The Avatar and Daimon are a bit dumfound been ignored. Not even Katara or Sokka presented them to Bato.

Normally you introduce your friends to your…family? Was he their uncle?

Why wouldn’t anyone explain to them anything?

A gust of wind blows, causing them all to shiver.

Bato states that this is no place for a reunion and leads the siblings away.

Thankful Bato looks back at Aang and Hua and gestures for them to follow.

Oh, well good.

For a second both thought they had to stay here.

Aang takes Hua's hand and so they follow Bato and their friends to an abbey.

Appa with Momo and Jaiyi follow of course too.

“After I was wounded, your father carried me to this abbey. The sisters have cared for me ever since.”, explained Bato, before he spoke to a nun, who was the highest one. “Superior, these are Hakoda's children. They've been travelling with the Avatar and Daimon. I found them by my boat.”

“Young Avatar and Young Daimon, it gives me great joy to be in your presence. Welcome to our abbey.”, bows Mother Superior to them.

The two bow back and say together: “Thank you, it's truly an honour to be here.”

“If there's anything-”, begins Aang, but gets interrupted by Sokka: “What smells so good, Bato?”

“The sisters craft ointments and perfumes.”

“Perfume? Maybe we can dump some on Appa because he stinks so much. Am I right?”

Everyone is silent, and a single person coughs.

“You have your father's wit.”, deadpans Bato at Sokka.

The group moves to the hut in which Bato is staying, with a tent on the opposite side of the door being the bed chamber, a fire with cushions in the middle, and various pelts placed and hung everywhere.

“Bato, it looks like home!”, exclaims Katara happy.

“Everything's here, even the pelts!”, points Sokka out.

Aang who is holding Momo looks at the pelts in mild disgust. 

“Yeah, nothing's cosier than dead animal skins.”

“Aang!”, hisses Hua, flicking the back of his head. “This is part of watertribe culture, don’t disrespect it.”

“It was not my intention.”

“Really? Then keep your mouth shut about these things.”

Offended Aang looks at her, though Hua just stares him down.

Their little squabble gets interrupted as Katar and Sokka find a pot of stewed sea prunes cooking over the fire.

Bato tells them all to help themselves.

Aang sniffs it but looks away in disgust and sets it to the side, while Hua at least takes a taste.

Meh, she has eaten worse things.

And food, was food when you grew up in poverty.

So she keeps on eating, which earns her a flabbergasted look from Aang.

How can she stomach this?!

“Bato, is it true that you and dad lassoed an arctic hippo?”, asked Katara, happily eating her own stewed sea prunes.

“It was your father's idea, he just dragged me along. Well, the hippo did the dragging!”

Aang wants to join the conversation, but sadly Sokka cuts him off.

“So, who was it that came up with the Great Blubber Fiasco?”

“You knew about that?”, chuckles Bato.

“Everyone does!”, tells Katara.

“What's that story?”, asks Aang curious.

Sokka waves Aang off.

“It's a long one Aang, some other time.”

This makes the Avatar pout, while the Daimon softly hits with her elbow in his side to cheer him up.

Katara and Sokka were just so happy to see an adult from their tribe, it was normal how they didn’t give them any attention.

Aang gives her a little smile, then stands up to loo around the room more.

Hua shrugs her shoulder and gets herself and Jaiyi another bowl.

You get used to this salty, slimy taste.

“You and Dad had so many hilarious adventures.”, said Katara right now to Bato.

“Not all of which were hilarious at the time, but everything's funny in hindsight.”, then Bato sees how Aang was wearing a pelt hat. “Hey, Aang! Please put that down, it's ceremonial and very fragile.”

Aang does as he is told and then sits in the back of the room.

He wasn’t having much fun right now. How Hua could just listen and eat these nasty stewed sea prunes was beyond him.

Well, the answer was simple.

Hua would do anything to see someone again who remembers her family and share stories with them.

Katara and Sokka deserved this space with Bato because she was so sad she would never get it.

So she ate the food and was silent observing one hilarious story after another.

A bit later Hua was playing with Jaiyi, as she heard how Bato told Katara and Sokka, how he was waiting for a message from their father and that they could see him again.

Something cold and terrible took place in her heart as she saw the excitement of Katara and Sokka.

A part of her wanted to speak up, to beg them not to leave her and Aang, yet a bigger part understood.

She understood it so well.

She would give anything to see her family alive and well again.

So she fought off her tears, but she didn’t need to cry.

Katara and Sokka told Bato clearly that they would love to see their father, but Hua and Aang were more important right now.

This was the moment when Hua let out a happy cry, all the attention turning to her.

“Oh Hua.”, cooed Katara and embraced her. “We won’t leave you, you are family too, remember.”

She just hiccuped and hugged Katara back tighter.

Even Sokka patted her head.

“Now, now, Hua, it’s okay. We won’t leave you.”

“I love you guys.”, she just told them.

Her family might be long dead, but she had a new family.

It was little.

It was a bit crazy.

But it was good.

No one noted how Aang was missing and what a decision he currently took.

***

The next day the kids and Bato walked back down to his ship.

“This ship is sentimental to me. It was built by my father.”, explains the man.

“Is this the boat he took you ice dodging in?”, asks Sokka.

“Yep! It's got the scar to prove it. Ha. How 'bout you Sokka? You must have some good stories from your first time ice dodging.”

Suddenly Sokka looks really sad.

“He never got to go.”, explained Katara. “Dad left before he was old enough.”

“Oh, I forgot you were too young.”

“What's ice dodging?”, wonder Aang and Hua.

“It's a rite of passage for young Water Tribe members. When you turn fourteen, your dad takes you-”, Bato stops. He smiles and puts his hand on Sokka's shoulder with a new thought. “You know what, you're about to find out!”

Soon they find themselves on Bato ship, sailing along the shore. 

“Ice dodging is a ceremonial test of wisdom, bravery, foresight and trust.”, begins Bato. “In our village, ice dodging was done by weaving a boat through a field of icebergs.”

“How are we supposed to ice dodge without ice?”, wonders Sokka.

“You'll be dodging those.”

The watertribe man points to a group of tall, sharp, jagged rocks near the shore. 

Katara, Hua and Sokka get nervous.

If they weren’t careful, they would end up on the rocks, with severely broken bones.

“Sokka, you steer and call the shots, lead wisely. Katara, you secure the main sail. The winds can be brutal, so be brave. Hua, you are on the bow, look out for danger. Without your judgment, we risk getting more than hurt. Aang, you control the jib. Without your steady hand, we all go down. Your position is about trust.”

Somehow this offends Aang since he babbles: “I know that. Why wouldn't I know that? I'm the Avatar; I know about trust!”

He crosses his arms and looks away, but gives Bato a second glance.

“For this is to be done right, I cannot help.”, tells them Bato and sits down cross-legged. “You pass or fail on your own.”

“Alright let’s do this! Hua, what’s your opinion?”, asked Sokka.

“These rocks seem manageable, we need a steady hand, captain.”, she calls over.

“I agree. Aang, ease up on the jib. Katara, steady. Aang, less sail. Katara, give him room.”

The ship moves to the side and sails between some rocks.

“Captain Sokka, more rocks on the left!”

“Aang, helm to lee. Helm to lee!”

“What does that even mean?”

The waves knock Bato around. Sokka and Hua struggle while Katara and Aang close their eyes. However, the boat passes between more rocks.

“Great job!”, praise Sokka.

Katara and Aang smile, as Hua calls out frantically: “Captain, a large group of rocks, is before us. We better turn around!”

“There's no way through!”, agrees Katara.

“We can make it.”, insists Sokka.

Bato stands up and grabs the side of the boat. “Sokka, you've already proven yourself. Maybe we should-”

The water tribe boy doesn’t listen and gives new commands: “Aang, I'm gonna need air in that sail. Katara and Hua, I want you guys to bend as much water as you can between us and those rocks. Now!”

Katara and Hua bend the water below the boat while Aang fires airbending blasts at the sail. 

Sokka groans nervously as the boat clears the rocks. 

When they reach clear water, Sokka sighs and relaxes. 

The rest of the group smiles at him.

Back on land, the kids stand in line before Bato, who holds a small cup of purple paint.

“The spirits of water bear witness to these marks. For Sokka, the Mark of the Wise.” Bato uses his thumb to put an arc and a small dot on Sokka's forehead. “The same mark your father earned. For Katara, the Mark of the Brave. Your courage inspires us. For Hua the Mark of Foresight.”

He paints a circle with a little dot on her forehead. “You are now an honorary member of the Water Tribe.”

Hua has to fight the tears as she bows down in thanks.

“I’m honoured to be part of the Watertribe.”

“And for Aang, the Mark of the Trusted. You are also now an honorary member of the Water Tribe.”

It’s like a slap in the face for him. 

Aang can’t accept this honour. 

Not after what he did.

“I can't.”, he mutters.

“Of course, you can!”, disagrees Katara.

However, Aang steps a few feet away and wipes away his mark.

“No, you can't trust me.”

“Aang, what are you talking about?”

He takes the crumpled map out of his sleeve.

“A messenger gave this to me for Bato.”

Katara takes it from him.

“You have to understand. I was afraid you would-”

“This is the map to our father! You had it the whole time? How could you?”, shouts Sokka. “I’m so sorry Hua, but I won’t go to the North Pole with a liar. I'm going to find Dad.”

“Now, Sokka. I think you should-”, tries Bato, but gets interrupted by Sokka: “Katara, are you with me?”

The waterbender looks at the two youngest, Aang full of guilt and Hua who shakes her head, mumbling, please over and over.

“I'm with you Sokka.”

Sokka, Katara, and Bato walk away and that’s when Hua turns to Aang full of anger.

“What did you do?!”, she screeched. “Why did you do it?! Katara and Sokka never wanted to leave us!”

“But they said yesterday-”

“If you had stayed to listen, then you would have heard how they promised to stay with us since we are also their family, but now…”

Hua lets out a loud wail and sinks down on the sand. Aang looks full of guilt and anguish at her.

“I already lost my family, I lost Monk Gyatsu and now Katara and Sokka!”, she whimpered, fat tears rolling down her eyes. “Why do all the people that I love leave me? Why?!”

Aang sinks down too and embraces her tight, first Hua fights him off, she is still angry, but then she cries into his robes.

They only have each other now.

“I’m so sorry Hua.”, Aang cries too. “I was stupid and hurt and desperate, I really thought Sokka and Katara would leave us because they ignored us for Bato.”

“Aang, they saw a friend of their father! Of course, they wanted to catch up. I would have done the same if I met someone who remember my family! Stupid idiot.”

“Yes, I deserve this.”

They stay for a while like this.

Hua hurls insults and cries at Aang's robes and he agrees with her and promises to do better.

***

Later the groups get ready to depart.

How strange to think of them as groups and not anymore as Team Avatar-Daimon.

Hua was sitting on Appa's saddle with Jaiyi in her arms, trying to console her crying ninetails.

Jaiyi understood that Sokka and Katara would leave them and hated it.

Aang was with Momo on Appa's head, watching how Katara got ready with Bato and Sokka.

Then the watertribe girl stepped on them.

“Good luck.”, she wishes them.

“Okay. You too.”, answer her Aang.

Hua and Jaiyi stare at Katara with big eyes, tears glistering in them and the older girl has to fight of her own, as she joins Sokka and Bato at the abbey gate.

Mother Superior, in front of Appa, stares at Aang.

“Guess we should be moving on.”

“That would be best.”, then she turns to Hua and bows. “It was still an honour meeting you young Daimon.”

“Thanks. Let’s go Aang.”

“Let’s.”

Appa walks out of the abbey and Aang notices three figures walk away in the distance.

“I'm really an idiot, Hua.”

“Yeah, I told you this only 100000 times today.”

“What should we do next?”

“Wait for Blue? He should be back soon.”

“Hopeful he won’t leave us either.”

With this, they walk into the forest.

A few minutes later they hear someone approaching.

It’s Blue!

Happy they call out his name.

Their friend is wearing clean black robes with a hood, his mask still in place, his trusty swords and a bag slung over his shoulder.

“Where you shopping?”, asks Hua as she helps him up the saddle.

After he sits down he writes his answer and Hua reads it aloud so Aang hears it too: “Something similar. Where are Sokka and Katara?”

So they tell him what happened.

“That’s rough, buddy. I’m sorry. I won’t leave you, I promise.”

“Thanks, Blue.”, chorus Hua and Aang together.

Zuko can’t believe his luck.

Katara and Sokka left them!

He could now under false claims steere now Aang and Hua to his ship!

Ha!

And his uncle had thought him crazy when he had been back on the ship to get his things.

How his plan could never work.

But look at it now!

Sadly the universe was against Zuko because they heard the shouts of Sokka and Katara.

They all turn around and see the water tribe siblings running up to them.

“Katara, Sokka!”, yells Hua and Jaiyi yips happily. “What are you doing here?!”

“Well, what do you think? We're getting you guys to the North Pole.”, smiles Katara.

“Yeah, we've lost too much time as it is.”, agrees Sokka.

Stupified Aang and Hua look at them, while Zuko inside cries out in anger.

He was so close!

“Don't you want to see your father?”, wonder Aang and Hua.

“Of course we do, Aang and Hua. But, you're our family, too. And right now, you need us more.”, reminds them Sokka.

“And we need you, guys.”, adds Katara.

No one can watch this fast as Hua jumps down from the saddle and hugs ugly crying Katara and Sokka.

“Never leave us again! I can’t lose another family.”

Katara hugs her back just as tight, giving her cheek kisses and Sokka pats her head.

“There, there Hua.”

That’s when he notes Blue on the saddle.

“Oh awesome, Mask-Dude is back?!”, he groans.

In his head, Zuko isn’t thrilled either seeing them again, but he waves in the hope that it seems welcome and friendly.

After Hua calms down enough, all go back on the saddle and they fly in the direction of the North Pole.

Previous

Next

[alicecanthang]

CAN YOU BELIEVE I AM SO LUCKY TO HAVE RAAVA AS MY BABY LIKE WE FUCKIN PICKED EACH OTHER

MY BABY

AND I AM HERS

I LOVE HER SO MUCH

I AM NOT CRYING

I HAVE ONLY HAD A LITTLE TO DRINK

also my date or whatever with M this morning was great and idk if I was really feeling it but now I am now that I’m drunk but also my feelings always fluctuate so much is that normal??? I did a little googling and read that it was normal but idk it makes me so nervous because I’m never convinced I actually like the guy but M is awesome and hilarious and I met his mom lmao so I guess that’s a trend for me now because I almost met W’s brothers on our first date and anyway yeah M is such a gentleman and I’m def gonna try to clean up my place this week so he can come over and meet Raava (and maybe we can make out n stuff idk how far he’ll want to go because we didn’t even kiss today but I hope we do next time)

[jupitermelichios]

So you want to read Marvel comics

A while back I made a post of Marvel & DC comics that would make a good intro into the world of comics, and I thought it was time for an update. So here’s some more short run Marvel comics to try if you’re just getting into comics (or some recs for those of you who already are).

Press J to skip this post.

1. X-Club (2012) - 5 issues. 

I’m always a little wary of recommending Si Spurrier’s Marvel comics to new readers, because no matter what Marvel want him to do he writes in a universe largely divorced from continuity. That said, the Marvel universe in his head is a glorious mess of high camp, melodrama and comedy and I love it. X-Club is one of his best Marvel works, focussing on the scientists who surround the X-Men. Funny, silly and with some great character moments.

Written by Si Spurrier, drawn by Paul Davidson, coloured by Rachelle Rosenburg

Starring: Dr Nemesis, Kavita Rao, Danger, Madison Jeffries

Best for fans of comedy action

2. New Warriors (2014) - 12 issues

This book got cancelled just as it was really finding its feet, but while I would have loved to see more, they did a great job of wrapping up most of their plot threads in time for the issue 12 finale. Like all the best Marvel comics, this is best described as a romp, about superpowered teenagers taking on a villain called the High Evolutionary (whose whole deal is furries). I read it knowing nothing about most of the characters and was rarely confused, despite it being a sequal to previous New Warriors books. A great introduction to one of Marvel’s perennial teen teams.

Written by Christopher Yost, drawn by Marcus To, coloured by David Curiel and Ruth Redmond

Starring: Justice, Speedball, Nova (Sam Alexander), Sun Girl, Scarlet Spider (Kaine), Hummingbird, Haechi, Silhouette, Water Snake, The High Evolutionary, The Celestials

Best for fans of young adult adventure

3. Angela: Asguard’s Assasin (2014) - 6 issues

This is the first in a 3 part series, followed by Angela 1601 and Angela: Queen of Hel, all of which are wonderful. Do you want transwomen? Do you want women of colour? Do you want women loving women while also having space-opera adventure quests? Then you need Angela and her wife Sera, here to bring you the good news of queer comic-book writers. Honestly I can’t tell you how good the Angela series is - you need to go read it for yourself. Plus it’s a veritable who’s who of Asguard, so a great introduction to that part of earth 616

Written by Keiron Gillen & Magueritte Bennet

Starring: Angela (Aldrif), Sera, Malekith the Accursed, Thor, Odin, Freyja, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Gamora, Star-Lord, Drax the Destroyer, Heidall, Sif, The Warriors Three, Loki

Best for fans of high fantasy lesbians

4. Ultimates (2015) - 12 issues

How high can sci-fi get before it loops back round to being fantasy? This is a book which walks that line - sci-fi so metaphysical it’s almost philosophy, except it’s not because it’s Superheroes in spandex fighting an all powerful being in the universe’s silliest hat.

Written by Al Ewing 

Starring: America Chavez, Spectrum, Blue Marvel, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Galactus

Best for fans of high sci-fi

5. New Avengers (2015) - 18 issues

If any comic deserved 6 season and a movie it’s this 2015 title. When Science Super-villains A.I.M run out of funds they decide to sell off the organisation. Former New Mutant Sunspot has a massive fortune, a desire to save the world, and a flair for the dramatic. It’s a match made in heaven. (Fans of the book don’t despair, it got a sequel in 2017′s U.S.Avengers).

Written by Al Ewing

Starring: Sunspot, Squirrel Girl, Wiccan, Hulkling, Power Man (Victor Alvarez), White Tiger, Hawkeye (Clint Barton), Songbird, Red Hulk, The Maker, POD, Iron Patriot (Toni Ho), Red Hulk (General Maverick), Canonball

Best for fans of comedy drama

6. Royals (2017) - 12 issues

This is Al Ewing’s third appearance on this list, because he really is just that good a writer. This is the perfect introduction to the Inhumans, who are way more interesting than the TV show would have you believe. This is classic space opera - a warring family of royalty on an epic quest to save their dying race from certain extinction. I didn’t think I liked the Inhumans until I read this book.

Written by Al Ewing

Starring: Medusa, Maximus the Mad, Gorgon, Swain, Flint, Marvel Boy (Noh-Var), Ronan the Accuser

Best for fans of space-opera

7. Mockingbird (2016) - 8 issues

If James Bond were an american woman with superpowers, actual human emotions and a chemistry degree, he’d be Mockingbird. Silly, heartfelt and deeply touching in places, this is one of my favourite short comics. Aided by her current boyfriend and his pet Corgi, SHIELD agent Bobbi Morse solves mysteries, fights bad guys and tries to clear her ex-husband’s name for a murder he really did commit.

Written by Chelsea Cain

Starring: Lance Hunter, Mockingbird

Best for fans of light-hearted spy stories and geeky jokes

8. Iceman (2017) - 11 issues

I’m not going to lie, this comics was hard for me to read in places. Not because it’s bad, but because it’s good. Founding X-Man Iceman was outed as gay against his will in a controversial 2015 story. This comic follows him as he works out what his life looks like as a gay mutant, comes out to his parents, and kisses a boy for the first time. Well written and emotional, plus it’s always nice to see queer writers and artists working with queer characters. Warning that this comic deals with homophobia.

Written by Sina Grace

Starring: Iceman, Shadowcat, Daken, Oya, Hercules, Darkstar, Angel, Amp, Ghost Rider

Best for fans of drama

9. Hercules (2016) - 6 issues

Hercules is a laughing stock in the hero world, better known for his drinking than his heroism (even though he’s 10 months sober). Gilgamesh hasn’t left Herlcules’ couch for a month. But when terrifying new gods emerge in the modern age, the old gods are the only ones who can stop them. Epic in the old sense of the word.

Written by Dan Abnett

Starring: Hercules, Tyresius, Gilgamesh, Ire of the Crua before the Ice

10. Black Bolt (2017) - 12 issues

Black Bolt generated a lot of hype when issue 1 dropped last year, and it’s hardly surprising because this comic is something special. Betrayed by his brother, deposed monarch Black Bolt is locked away in the universe’s highest security prison. Depowered, trapped and tortured, he must rely on the help of his fellow prisoners to escape. If escape is even possible. Best read in tandem with Royals (above). Warning that the later part of this comic deals with past child neglect and emotional abuse.

Written by Saladin Ahmed

Starring: Black Bolt, Lockjaw, Absorbing Man, Metal Master, Blinky, Raava

Best for fans of emotional drama and prison break stories

[cloudninetonine]

Follow the light

Prologue

Synopsis: A Genshin Impact/Avatar x fem!reader

A/N: Yeah, so, this is becoming a series (NO I AM NOT ABANDONING MY DBH STORY I AM JUST WRITING FOR MORE)

I don’t Genshin Impact nor Avatar franchise

Warnings: Nothing in this one I believe

“I can help you”

Through the swarm of darkened red and black, you could see him. Face stricken with panic, eyes wide and hand reaching out, out to you, whose vision was slowly fading from the myriad of her blocks, impairing your vision at a frantic pace.

This couldn’t have been right, possibly? She had already taken him, he had disappeared right before you eyes before she had dealt with you. So, what was this?

The voice called out again.

“But first, you must find me, only then, can we truly begin our journey”

He was almost gone, you were almost swallowed by the darkness, but you couldn’t leave him behind, you wouldn’t!

You used all the remaining strength within you to reach out to him, to grab him, to- anything! You didn’t want him to disappear again!

“No! You can’t take him, give him back!”

Your begging fell on deaf ears, only a single crack of light remained, his fear stricken gaze burning right into your soul.

“Please, (Name), find the light, find me, find Raava….”

You couldn’t lose him again!

“Give him back! Give me back my brother!-”

“Aether!”

“Hey, (Name), wake up already!”

The voice was loud. Super loud. A kind of loud that made your ears ring and ground your teeth together, that kind of loud. By the sounds of it, they were obviously right next to your ear, wailing out your name like the world around you was up in flames, burning away at your surroundings in a harrowing chaos.

But within consciousness, came sense and with sense, awareness of one’s surroundings. You knew that there was no fire, it was certainly warm in your space, but it was from the proud sun that leaked in through your window, particularly weak in the early hours of the morning, nevertheless still just as cosy.

“(Name), come on!!!!”

Your body was jolted by a pair of small hands, shaking you back and forth violently, even when you finally popped an eye open, glaring at the figure with an exhausted frustration.

Hair was white, thick and cropped around her face with dark purple eyes that shone in the early light, small, fair body floating just a few inches above you, hands rocking you violently in an effort to have you awake. Furthermore, She was pouting, cheeks puffed out, eyes narrowed- the whole works and she let out a huff when noticing your stare.

“Finally!” The small person cried, poking at your cheek “Do you know how deep you sleep!? Paimon’s pretty sure she woke up everyone else in the temple with her yelling!”

“More like screeching.” You sassed, whisking on a drowsy grin “You sound like a banshee, Pai.”

Paimon gasped in offence “You take that back! Paimon sounds nothing like that!”

“Whatever you say.”

Finally, you heaved yourself out of bed, glancing around your room nonchalantly with Paimon yammering on in an outrage, her arms waving around wildly as she spoke.

Raava. The word echoed in your head, resolute and strong as you went about your morning routine, mind focused only on what it could mean. A name? A place? Some sort of item? You had no clue, couldn’t properly fathom it, not with the little information the voice had been giving you. Who even was the voice? Was it this Raava? Also how were you supposed to find...them? You truly were stumped.

But the picture of Aether, of his wide, panic struck eyes, hand reaching out towards you was tugging at your hope. That promise, the words of “I can help you” tugged at your hope. If they could really help you, if you could finally find your brother, you were gonna pursue this and you were going to find your answers.

“Hey! Are you even listening?!”

“Nope” You responded, tying your belt around your attire.

“(Name)!”

Laughing, you patted down your outfit, then grasped Paimon’s hand gently, tugging her closer to your level. “I’m sorry, I’ve just been preoccupied.”

She tilted her head “Is it because of your dream?”

The shock in her words was probably evident on your face because a second later she continued, her face sympathetic “You called out your brother’s name again.”

Oh.

“Are you okay?” A nod wasn’t enough to satisfy her worry “Are you sure? You can tell Paimon!”

“I know, I know.” Patting her hand, you finally pulled away and headed to the door, her following close behind. 

The Eastern Air Temple was a beautiful place. Standing tall and proud within the center of a archipelago, the temple was a ways off from the mainland of Teyvat, mostly secluded from the rest of the world to allow the Air Nomads to practice their way of life peacefully, away from the noise of the other nations, just like the other Air temples.

You had awoken here after your battle with the Unknown God, dazed and weak, the Air Nomads had taken you in and had practically integrated you into the life of Air. It had been coming up to four years, learning the ways of this world, the language, the culture, until 2 months ago, when you had found Paimon, splashing about off the shore of one of the surrounding islands, close to drowning.

You had fished her out yourself, her introducing herself as a spirit of guidance and you had been friends since.

“Hey, Pai, actually” The two of you had been heading to congregate with the other nuns for morning meditation when you had finally found the courage to turn to your partner, her eyes focused onto you when you both paused “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course!” Her hands rested on her hips “You can ask Paimon anything! Except things she doesn’t know, you’d have to ask someone else about that”

Your laugh made her grin triumphantly.

“Well, I don’t know if this is in your knowledge or not, but, I wanted to ask if you know what...Raava is?”

Paimon’s reaction was instant. Her face overfilled with shock and confusion, blinking owlishly at your slowly tensing figure before finally she was able to speak once again.

“Raava” She started, oddly serious despite her constant giddy nature “Was the spirit of light and peace, she kept the world safe from darkness and chaos”

You hesitated before asking tentatively “Was?”

“She was killed 2 thousand years ago”

The words hit you hard.

Raava was dead? The thing, which you had finally found was a spirit, was dead? And had been for 2 thousand years!? Then what happened now!? What did that dream even mean now!? If Raava was dead how could you possibly find her!?

“Are….are you sure?” At Paimon’s nod, you deflated, falling back into the staircase wall with a sigh “Then...what did the dream mean?”

“Your dream? You said it was about your brother!” She chastised, puffing out her cheeks.

“It was! But some voice kept telling me I needed to find this Raava and I-”

“Wait, wait, wait-” Shaking her hands before her, Paimon leaned closer. She still seemed just as serious as previous, though from the light that was gathering in her eyes, she seemed a little...hopeful, like whatever you would next say were like a present for her that you were hiding behind your back “Your dream said to find Raava?”

“Yes, that’s why I asked-”

“Was there anything else?”

You paused “It mentioned that Raava could possibly help me find Aether”

Silence hung for a few moments, Paimon’s face uncomfortably close to yours as you shared intense eye contact. A few other nuns walked past, watching in intrigue as the exchange went on, but not doing much else before Paimon finally reacted, screaming in delight and dancing around you excitedly, as though you had told her you two were having a ten course meal.

“Finally! Finally!” She cried, hooting loudly “She’s finally returned! She’s finally back!”

“What-” You yelped when she grabbed your hand, dragging you in the direction of the meditation area “Paimon! I thought you said she was dead!?”

“I’ll explain later but we need to tell Nun Tsering the news!”

-----

Nun Tsering was one of the leading nuns of the Eastern Temple. She stood tall amongst the rest with long, beautiful grey hair that was tied in traditional nomad fashion and kind grey eyes that seemed to put every single person she talked to at ease. The woman had taken the role as your teacher and friend, a respectful woman that you had grown to care for during your time within the temple, she even knew about your past, with your brother, with the unknown God, everything.

So, when the two of you had finally arrived for morning meditation, Paimon claiming urgency, she guided you two away from the other nuns for a private chat without needing much else.

“So, what was so urgent, you two?” She mused as you walked in the gardens “You looked as though you had been chased by a swarm of lemurs”

Paimon got to it first, eyes wide with excitement “Raava has returned!”

That stopped Tsering right in her tracks.

Paimon went to continue but you stopped her with a motion of your hand, looking upon your master’s surprised face with lacking confidence. “Paimon is getting ahead of herself, but, I did have a dream about finding her, a voice told me I needed to find Raava, that she could help me find Aether, but...I don’t know…”

Your spirit friend huffed but once again she was stopped, this time by Tsering, who bore an expression of significance. “The voice, did it say anything else?”

“I, uh-” You thought back to the dream, to your brother, to the voice “It mentioned something about a journey but it didn’t specify much other than it being….our journey.”

Her eyes widened.

“Tsering-”

“Follow me.”

Once again, you were taken to an entirely different place within the temple, practically running after Tsering’s rushed steps with Paimon right behind, the two of you sharing a look of confusion until you had finally reached a door, with the pattern of the air surrounded by some weird contraption. The nomad was quick to send a blast of wind into two tubes, a large creak of the wood echoing all around you as it opened, revealing to you a giant room, filled with an abundance of statues, every single one different from the last.

“Woah!” Paimon cried as you entered, flying around to examine each with interest “These are the past Avatars!”

“Avatar? What’s that?” Following Tsering to the center, where the statues began to spiral into the middle, to where a single one that stood, you became more and more confused “Tsering, what’s going on?”

The Nun looked upon the statue with an emotion you couldn’t decipher, brushing away at the statue’s shoulders with a special care before she finally spoke “(Name), many eons ago, before the Archon wars, before the nations- any of the nations, there was a man named Wan.”

Wan….Why did it feel like you knew that name?

“He was the first Avatar.” She explained, “A man held the power of the four elements.”

“...but you told me a person can only bend one element?”

She finally turned to face you “Normal humans can only wield one element, but Wan wasn’t a normal human.”

Within the sanctuary, among the many statues, Tsering told the story of the Avatar. From Wan’s mistake, to his journey with Raava, to fighting and sealing Vaatu and the Avatar cycle. For hours, you sat, listening to your master as she spoke of the tales of the Avatars, all the way up until the Archon Wars, to…

“Avatar Ly was the last Avatar.” Looking up at the statue from your spots on the floor, Tsering bowed her head in respect “She was born into the violence of the Archon War and pledge to the people that she would be the one to stop this conflict once and for all.”

“Let me guess” You started, feeling your heart squeeze painfully “She died while in the Avatar state.”

The nun nodded solemnly “She was killed in a battle between Morax and Osial. She had to sacrifice herself in order to protect Liyue, but she could only use the power of the Avatar state to do so and it resulted in the death of Ly, Raava and the end of the Avatar cycle. It was said that Morax was burdened with much guilt over her death and erected a statue in her honour on Mt. Tianheng so that Liyue would forever know their saviour”

You took everything in with a breath, absorbing the information when Paimon finally cut in, her silence through this entire predicament a weird contrast to her usual self. “But, what does the Avatar have to do this?”

Actually, you had been wondering this as well, though kept silent during Tsering’s explanation, waiting for her to explain.

Her face was unwavering “I believe that Raava has chosen (Name) to be the next Avatar”

Your expression was comical, a mix of unbelieving and confused, trying to comprehend her words while Paimon openly gawked, shaking her arms and flying around like a headless chicken, babbling.

“But that’s crazy! (Name)’s not even from this world, forget about being a bender! Why would she pick (Name) to be the new Avatar!?”

You huffed “Thanks Paimon.”

“You’re welcome!”

“I know it’s hard to understand.” Tsering sent you a sympathetic smile “But it would make sense as to why Raava would reveal herself to you.”

“Reveal herself? But I haven’t even met her yet!” You cried incredulously.

“But (Name), you have. Who else would have spoken to you within your dream?”

She did have a point.

You cast your head downwards.

“I know this sounds rude but...I don’t want to be the Avatar, I don’t have time for a responsibility like that. I have to find my brother, I need to find this Unknown God too, I can’t just…”

You hated how the words came out, how it all sounded, but it was the truth. You didn’t want this power, you didn’t want that responsibility, you were already starting your own journey, now healed from your battle and understanding this world, you were soon to be on your way to find your brother and get your own power back.

Why did Raava pick you?

A warm hand was placed upon your shoulder and you looked up at the nun, uncertain.

“I know you are afraid, (Name), I can sense it from you, but you mustn’t” Her other hand came to rest on your cheek, wiping away the small tears that had gathered in your eyes “Raava is a kind spirit, if she has chosen you then there must be a good reason, you just have to ask.”

“But how?”

The nun smiled, leaning back to take a meditating stance. You followed.

“Close your eyes, focus and clear you mind.” Her voice was smooth and kind “If Raava was able to speak to you within your dream, it means that she is already with you, you just have to find her.”

“That….doesn’t really make sense.”

Her chuckle made you smile “It will, now focus.”

The sanctuary was very quiet, the only sound produced from the room was from the wind that flew in from down the hall, soft, almost inaudible, but you could hear it’s silent howl through the room, feel it surround the three of you as you meditated, feeling it’s calming effect wash over you.

Everything around you seemed to fade as time went on, the feeling of Tsering and Paimon disappeared entirely, the blow of the wind no longer cooled your skin, nor did it’s voice caress your ears, no, everything felt like...nothing and with that, you opened your eyes, only to be greeted with what you had sensed, nothing.

“Huh?” You span around, breaking your position to search for you friends in a panic, anxiety growing within the pit of your stomach “Hello!? Tsering!? Paimon!? Anybody!?”

No, no, you didn’t want to be alone. You couldn’t be alone. Someone had always been with you for so long, there was always a presence beside you, but no there wasn’t and you felt helpless, scared, desperate, a hopeless flurry of emotions.

You didn’t want to be abandoned again.

“They have not abandoned you, (Name).” 

That voice.

“And you are not alone.”

Her voice.

Your span back around, watching as a lightly slowly approached you, bright and calming.

“I am here with you.”

“Raava.” You breathed, unconsciously cupping out your hands towards her, letting her settle into your hold as you brought her closer to you almost protectively “You’re Raava.”

“Yes.”

Managing a small smile, you laughed “You’re smaller than I imagined.”

Her laugh surrounded you, warm, loving, bright and...peaceful. The spirit was different that you imagined, she felt like...a light within the darkness, pun not intended, but she felt as though she was a way out, like she was here to save you from your own unintentional prison, from your despair. She made you feel...safer, not entirely safe, but most definitely safer.

“(Name), I first want to thank you.” You furrowed your brows “Your spirit, it’s divinity, you were able to bring me back from death. I have returned because of you.”

“But I lost my power?”

“Before your power was lost, when you had visited our world, your’s and your brother’s power had brought forth enough light to save me. It would have taken another 8 thousand years for me to return, so for that, you have my thanks.”

The words lightened your entire being, bringing forth a teary eyed smile. You knew for sure, had Aether been here, he would have been the one in tears, he was soft like that, gratitude filled him with such a happiness that always seemed to rub off onto you too.

You missed your brother so much.

“But, I still require your help.” The spirit flew from your hands, reaching your eye level “I still do not have my full power, there had not been enough time after death to return me to my former self and I need your help.”

“What, how?”

Images flashed in your mind, statues, multiple states, all with a different figure carved into it’s pinnacle. “The statues hold the power of the Archons within them, if we were to find them, I would be able to use a fragment of their power to restore my own strength. So, will you help me once more, (Name)?”

It wasn’t a difficult question, but it did lead to a difficult answer. You wanted to help her, you wanted to help restore her former glory, but you already had your own mission, you had to find your brother, you wanted to find your brother and you couldn’t do that if your time was invested in helping Raava.

However, thinking back to your dream, you remembered her words, her promise.

“Raava, you said before, in my dream, that you could help me find my brother, is that true?”

“It is.”

Your heart skipped a beat.

“(Name), in return for saving my life, for bringing me back, I want to repay you and if that is to help find your brother, then that is what I will do.” She seemed to shine brighter, the light filling the area, reflecting off your eyes. “Merge with me, (Name), help me restore my strength and we will find your brother, together.”

You gasped, leaning you hand out once again only to stop short “If we merge, I’ll become the next Avatar, won’t I?”

“That is correct.”

“But I can’t even bend.”

“The power of the elements still resides within me.” She replied “It is weak, but it will be enough. Once I am back to my full strength, you will have the power of a true Avatar.”

That was all you needed. Finally, your hand made contact with the spirit, her light growing along with yourself until the void had vanished, leaving a blinding shine throughout the space.

Tsering and Paimon watched as your eyes finally snapped open, glowing a brilliant white that echoed through the room before they faded, staring at the two before you with a giddy grin.

Paimon cheered while your master smiled, her hand returning to your shoulder 

“Welcome back, Avatar.”